River of Fire, River of Water: An Introduction to the Pure Land Tradition of Shin Buddhism

by Taitetsu Unno

With great spiritual insight and unparalleled scholarship, Dr. Taitetsu Unno—the foremost authority in the United States on Shin or Pure Land Buddhism—introduces us to the most popular form of Buddhism in Japan. Unique among the various practices of Buddhism, this "new" form of spiritual practice is certain to enrich the growing practice of Buddhism in the United States, which is already quite familiar with Zen and Tibetan traditions. River of Fire, River of Water is an introduction to the practice of Pure Land Buddhism for readers with or without prior experience with it. The Pure Land tradition dates back to the sixth century c.e., when Buddhism was first introduced in Japan. Unlike Zen, its counterpart which flourished in remote monasteries, the Pure Land tradition was the form of Buddhism practiced by common people. Consequently, its practice is harmonious with the workings of daily life, making it easily adaptable for seekers today. Despite the difference in method, though, the goal of Pure Land is the same as other schools—the awakening of the true self. Certain to take its place alongside great works such as Three Pillars of Zen, The Miracle of Mindfulness, and Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind—River of Fire, River of Water is an important step forward for American Buddhism.

Genres: Buddhism, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Japan, Philosophy

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently re-read D.T Suzuki's classic Buddha of Infinite Light. That was one of the few books about Japan I read before arriving in the country in 1991. Re-reading it recently flooded me with memories. I saw that the scholar Taitetsu Unno had a more recent book, also on Shin Buddhism and Pure Land philosophy. This book was so beautifully written. The writing in places was so moving, I found myself in tears. I also learned a lot--after being married to a believer for twenty years in Japan, I thought I knew more or less the basics of the belief system, but it turns out I missed most of the major points. I loved this book and will most likely be re-reading it every year o so for the rest of my life. Highly recommend it.

[Noreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I was raised Buddhist, I don't understand the concepts. What I try to practice was learned from my parents example. There are "lost in translation" problems, Sanskrit,.... Chinese, Japanese, English. There are no English words for some Japanese concepts. There are no fixed rules just behavioral guidelines, which can be adapted to the users situation. Buddhism was similar to Christianity in the Middle Ages, in that only priests/monks could spend their lives copying scriptures/sutras, living apart from the surrounding society. Shinran is the Buddhist equivalent to Martin Luther.

Buddhism is not so much a religion as a perspective on living. I'm not that smart, couldn't figure out how to apply a mathematical proof if my life depended on it. In physics there are theoretical physicists and experimental physicists. The theoretical physicists create the theorems to explain physical world behavior, experimental physicists design experiments to prove the theories. Kenneth Arrow and Richard Feynmann are both theoretical and experimental scientists. Their students are translators for people like me who cannot figure out how to apply a theorem. Taitetsu Unno is an experimental buddhist. Each chapter has experimental application examples of Buddhist concepts. Shinjin, Tariki,......Other power, self power,

[Kit]

I used to hungrily consume books like this. That was before I became disenchanted with 'Western Buddhism'. I'm sure Unno knows his stuff, but the concepts in here are so vague , and spring from a worldview so foreign to mine, that they never coalesce into anything more substantial than a philosophical mist. In Unno's head, all of these terms and axioms probably have a consistent ordering; at least, I'm sure that there is no contradiction left without a chair to sit in. Not so for me.

I see it as a sign of spiritual maturity that I am no longer dazzled by the 'otherness' (no pun intended) of Buddhism. The only use this book had for me was to demonstrate that, yes, I am no longer even a tentative Buddhist.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My understanding of life has been profoundly altered.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great look at Pureland Buddhism, and why life is so beautiful.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading it again

[Cris Fugate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because friends have recommended it, but I am disappointed with it. First, the material was not laid out in an organized way. Second, the author suggests that their interpretation of Jodo Shinshu is an evolved form while in reality it is a modernist interpretation which does not treat Amida Buddha or the Pureland as real in accordance with the teachings of Honen and Shinran. While there is some good information in the book, as a whole I cannot recommend it.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Unno’s explanations of things like Amida and Dharmākara Bodhisattva really gave me some much-needed clarity while I continued my journey learning about Jodo Shin Buddhism. I know I will read this book annually, if not twice a year.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative. I just did not find it an inspirational read. Thich Nhat Hanh's book, Finding Our True Home: Living in the Pure Land Here and Now, though he was not of a Pure Land path, was an energetically uplifting read, giving a sense of the presence and energy of "Pure Land" as myth, metaphor, symbol, archetype. And I do not find his work usually of that nature for me. But it is my favorite of his many works. That is one reason I wanted to read more about Pure Land Buddhism.

I liked this book and came away thinking "I'm open to read a work that better communicates the 'spirit,' or 'energy,' of Pure Land than this did for me." I realize what floats one boat bogs down another, so it seems clear many other readers found this book much more to their liking. That is good.

For an informative introduction to varied themes of one sect of Pure Land, this is a good read. For a more experiential, heart-felt read, if you want that, you might wish to look elsewhere. For a broader appreciation of the diversity within Pure Land paths, this is not the book.

Being new to Pure Land studies, I cannot comment on the accuracy of this work in its fidelity to the path from a historical perspective. Anyway, paths are not lying out somewhere, they are moving through time, so fidelity to a path may be accepting it changes and knowing that is as it needs to be.

Much the author shares resonates with my past history of contemplative Christianity and even earlier conservative evangelical Christianity. While I vowed to a Zen path, what eventually became clear is the often over-emphasis on self-effort and the elitism historically. Jodo Shinshu is for persons like I am, who does not wish to bend the legs in a pretzel position and suffer the consequent agony or look at a blank wall everyday, some days hours a day. Climbing an enlightenment ladder for many lifetimes is not on my list - anyway, how could "I." Jodo Shinshu says, "You can't." In that finitude and fallibility, Grace shines - Light, Life: call it Amida Buddha, Christ, Krishna, God, or whatever or whomever. Whatever one calls it, that is not it, yet it is.

[Lucy Faria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story is told about Kichibei, who made his living as a raveling salesman. One day his wife had a stroke and became bedridden, so he was forced to quit his work, stay at home, and take care of his hapless wife. Once, after almost two years had elapsed, a villager remarked to him about how exhausting it must be to care for his wife, day in and day out. Whereupon, Kichibei answered, "No, I never experience fatigue, because every day is both the first experience and the last experience." How are we to understand this answer? What went through his mind as he responded? How could he say that it was not a burden at all?
Various possibilities exist.
Kichibei's reply might have come from a complete acceptance of the Buddhist teaching of impermanence. Since time passes from moment to moment, each moment is the first and last experience. When we live every instant of our lives fully, burdens are no longer burdens, for they too shall pass. "Every day is both the first experience and the last experience."

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually I give it a 3.5, but did not want to round it up to 4. Predominantly a very good book. I like its simplicity, the short chapters, reflecting the simple profundity of the message, saying the words namu-amida-butsu (Namo Amitabha Buddha in Sanskrit). The overall effect of the book is to enable one to centre onself, to appreciate every moment and awaken to ultimate reality - with this simple recitation, either verbally, in the mind, or even by simple implication, seeing and experiencing everything as this invocation.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought a popular form of Buddhism for common people would be more relevant to my daily life but's surprisingly christian-like compared to what I'm familiar with and it's pretty uninteresting to read about. It doesn't help that this book is hopelessly overwritten for an "introduction". Cool book title though.

[Tynan Brooks]

I expected a more academic introduction but I like what I got. The Pure Land tradition has always been interesting to me as a form of Buddhism that's entirely grace-centered, and this reminded me of many Christian books which seek to remind the reader, in various ways, of how powerful grace is.

[Lorena Andreea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical! 🙏🏻

[Eric Boles · Rating 2 out of 5]

The world of dew / is the world of dew / and yet… and yet…