MURYOKO
'Infinite Light'
Journal of Shin Buddhism
John Paraskevopoulos
Message for Gotan-e (21st May)
The life and teachings of Shinran constitute one of the most significant developments in the history of Buddhism. He alone discovered a path which ensured that the treasures of the Dharma became accessible to all people without discrimination. He broke down many significant barriers in doing so but this also made him vulnerable to persecution and attacks from those who felt threatened by his radical perspective. When we say 'radical', we do not mean to suggest that Shinran subverted orthodox views by introducing new concepts of his own devising. His was not 'original' in this sense but in the deeper sense of going back to the roots of his spiritual tradition and discerning its true intention and profoundest meaning - namely the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha.
Shinran's perspective is liberating because he was ruthlessly honest about the human condition and its manifold limitations when it came to realizing enlightenment. In criticizing the shortcomings of traditional practices such as meditation, visualization and conventional moral actions, he was not, in any way, showing disrespect to his illustrious predecessors who followed the 'Path of Sages'. He simply declared that, speaking for himself, these practices had failed to eliminate his anger, greed and ignorance and that the only way to secure Nirvana in Amida's Pure Land was to rely on Amida himself. It was only in this way, by becoming a Buddha and helping in the salvation of all beings, that he hoped to manifest true and selfless compassion in the world. This was the depth of Shinran's mind; this is none other than the mind of 'shinjin' which is available to all of us who rely on Amida's power to illuminate and transcend the suffering of our life in this samsaric world of darkness and delusion. The Infinte Light and Life of the Buddha is the only true reality which alone can awaken us from our spiritual slumber. During our celebration of Gotan-e, let us remember Shinran with gratitude for showing us a path of genuine joy, wisdom and compassion.