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The Promise of Amida Buddha: Honen's Path to Bliss
The Promise of Amida Buddha is the first complete English translation of a seminal collection of writings by the Japanese Pure Land school's founder, Honen-shonin (1133-1212). The so-called Japanese Anthology ( Wago Toroku ) collects his surviving short writings composed in Japanese, including letters of exhortation and public pronouncements. The vital writings provide a window into Honen's life and the turbulent era in which he lived and taught.
Honen-shonin, who lived in Japan in the twelfth century, saw that the complexity of traditional Buddhist practices made them inaccessible to people outside the monastic elite. Drawing on the Chinese Pure Land tradition, he re-imagined Pure Land practice for Japan and ushered in a new and dynamic practice that continues in the present day. In our degenerate age, says Honen, we cannot hope to reach enlightenment via the practices employed by the Buddhist masters of old. For us there is only one avenue to liberation--rebirth in the Pure Land of Amida, from whence our progress is irreversible and our ultimate release assured. The Pure Land is a heavenly destination made manifest through the pure vow of Amida to save all beings, and we secure passage to this land in our next life through pure faith in Amida at the very moment of death. The practice of faith in Amida is performed through nembutsu , the continual recitation of the mantra Namu Amida Butsu , which bonds us to Amida and brings us into his care.
Honen-shonin, who lived in Japan in the twelfth century, saw that the complexity of traditional Buddhist practices made them inaccessible to people outside the monastic elite. Drawing on the Chinese Pure Land tradition, he re-imagined Pure Land practice for Japan and ushered in a new and dynamic practice that continues in the present day. In our degenerate age, says Honen, we cannot hope to reach enlightenment via the practices employed by the Buddhist masters of old. For us there is only one avenue to liberation--rebirth in the Pure Land of Amida, from whence our progress is irreversible and our ultimate release assured. The Pure Land is a heavenly destination made manifest through the pure vow of Amida to save all beings, and we secure passage to this land in our next life through pure faith in Amida at the very moment of death. The practice of faith in Amida is performed through nembutsu , the continual recitation of the mantra Namu Amida Butsu , which bonds us to Amida and brings us into his care.
504 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2011
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November 21, 2022
Since first learning about Honen, I felt some affinity toward him. However, it has been difficult for me to find any book or other resource in English which comprehensively covers his teachings. I was glad to find this available at my local library. It's the most in-depth book about Honen's writings in English I could find.
This book clarifies so many misconceptions about Honen's teachings.
This book covers important topics such as:
1. Honen's commentary on the Three Pure Land Sutras, where he describes the sutra basis for his teaching, including his use of Shandao's commentaries.
2. The specific requirements for rebirth in the Pure Land
3. What exactly the three-fold heart means
4. feeble, distracted, and/or vacillating hearts
5. Grades of rebirth
6. More
This book also includes his letters to various people. These letters to different people can overlap by covering a lof the same topics, although he may explain things a little differently depending on who he is writing too. I did not read every single one.
Overall, important read and possibly best available in English for those who want to unerstand Honen's teaching.
Many thanks to those who spent so much time collecting Honen's works and translating them into English.
This book clarifies so many misconceptions about Honen's teachings.
This book covers important topics such as:
1. Honen's commentary on the Three Pure Land Sutras, where he describes the sutra basis for his teaching, including his use of Shandao's commentaries.
2. The specific requirements for rebirth in the Pure Land
3. What exactly the three-fold heart means
4. feeble, distracted, and/or vacillating hearts
5. Grades of rebirth
6. More
This book also includes his letters to various people. These letters to different people can overlap by covering a lof the same topics, although he may explain things a little differently depending on who he is writing too. I did not read every single one.
Overall, important read and possibly best available in English for those who want to unerstand Honen's teaching.
Many thanks to those who spent so much time collecting Honen's works and translating them into English.
Displaying 1 of 1 review