Synopses & Reviews
In his Heart of the Shin Buddhist Path, Takamaro Shigaraki examines Shin Buddhism anew as a practical path of spiritual growth and self-transformation, challenging assessments of the tradition as a passive religion of mere faith. Shigaraki presents the core themes of the Shin Buddhist path in fresh, engaging, down-to-earth language, considering each frankly from both secular and religious perspectives. Shigaraki discloses a nondual Pure Land that finds philosophical kinship with Zen but has been little discussed in the West. With its unassuming language and insights drawn from a life of practice, Heart of the Shin Buddhist Path dispels the fog of misconception that has shrouded Western appreciation of Shin traditions to reveal the limitless light of Amida Buddha that reaches all.
Review
Professor Shigaraki ties the doctrine and practice of True Pure Land Buddhism to the broader Mahayana Buddhist tradition, thereby creating a book that will be of interest both to Buddhist practitioners of all denominations and scholars of modern Japanese Buddhism.” Richard M. Jaffe, Duke university
Offers a significant perspective for the expanding interfaith dialogue between Buddhism and the diverse world of contemporary spiritual movements.” Alfred Bloom, emeritus Professor, university of Hawaii
A must read.” Kenneth Kenshin Tanaka, Musashino university and International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies
Shigarakis fresh perspective on Shinrans teachings is bound to spark renewed interest in Pure Land Buddhism.”Tricycle
Review
"Professor Shigaraki ties the doctrine and practice of True Pure Land Buddhism to the broader Mahayana Buddhist tradition, thereby creating a book that will be of interest both to Buddhist practitioners of all denominations and scholars of modern Japanese Buddhism."
Review
"Offers a significant perspective for the expanding interfaith dialogue between Buddhism and the diverse world of contemporary spiritual movements."
Review
"A must read."
Review
"Shigaraki's fresh perspective on Shinran's teachings is bound to spark renewed interest in Pure Land Buddhism."
About the Author
Takamaro Shigaraki is a Buddhist priest and scholar, recognized as one of the leading Shin Buddhist thinkers in the world today. His innovative approach to traditional Shin Buddhist ideas via comparative religious scholarship and rational analysis has made him a cause celebre in the Shin Buddhist world. He has served as president of Ryukoku University, one of Japan's oldest and most prestigious universities, where he received his PhD in literary studies and is a Professor Emeritus of Shin Buddhist studies. Dr. Shigaraki has also served as Chairman of the Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, the largest Shin Buddhist organization in the world.David Matsumoto is a Buddhist priest and minister at the Berkeley Buddhist Temple. He received BA and JD degrees from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis, an MA from the Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS), and an MA and PhD from Ryukoku University in Tokyo, Japan. Matsumoto has translated from Japanese Bearer of Light: The Life and Thought of Rennyo, by Jitsuen Kakehashi, a contemporary Shin scholar. He lives in Northern California, where he teaches Contemporary Shin Buddhist Studies at the Institute for Buddhist Studies.
Table of Contents
Authors Preface xi
Translators Notes xv
PART ONE: THE SHIN BUDDHIST PATH
Chapter One: The Fundamental Principles of Buddhism
Teachings of Gautama Buddha 3
The Development of Buddhism 14
Chapter Two: The Pure Land Buddhist Path
Amida Buddha 23
The Primal Vow of Amida Buddha 39
The Pure Land Buddhist Path 48
Chapter Three: The Shin Buddhist Path
The Path that Shinran Walked 58
The Nembutsu of Choice” 65
Nembutsu and Shinjin 71
PART TWO: SHINJIN
Chapter One: The Idea of Shin in Buddhism
General Notions of Shin 87
Belief and Faith 88
Buddhist Notions of Shin 92
Chapter Two: Shinjin in Shin Buddhism
Shinjin in Shinrans Thought 98
Traditional Approaches to Shinjin 106
The Threefold Shinjin of the Primal Vow 114
Chapter Three: Deep Mind, True Mind, and Mind of Aspiration
Deep Mind 117
True Mind 136
Mind of Aspiration 148
PART THREE: SHIN BUDDHIST LIFE
Chapter One: Salvation in Shin Buddhism
Types of Religious Salvation 157
Salvation as the Fulfillment of Desire 161
Salvation through Self-Control 165
Salvation as the Establishment of Personal Subjectivity 169
Chapter Two: Shinjin and Human Life
The Ethics of Shinjin 180
The Starting Point for Understanding Buddhism 193
A True Disciple of the Buddha 205
Chapter Three: The Shin Buddhist Way of Life
Living with Prayers for the World” 215
The Wish for Human Fulfillment 223
Aspiring for the Fulfillment of Society 227
Directing Virtue in Our Return to This World 232