Diamondlike Shinjin: Unit 12 Even Though It is a Real Pitch-darkness It Remains Bright

Namu Amida Butsu

This work is especially dedicated to Zuiken Saizo Inagaki, who sheds light on the pristine and original teachings of Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhism) for many people, including myself. I regard him as my soul teacher and I am very much influenced by his words and thoughts, which are deeply imbued with the Wisdom of Compassion of Amida Buddha. I read most of his writings available in Chinese language and I wish to share some of his golden words in this blog in English. Rev. George Gatenby and Mr. Gabriel Schlaefer have been kindly and untiringly assisting me to edit the translated essays so that they are readable and true to the intent of Sensei. May all partake of the wisdom of Shinshu teaching and be overpowered by the light of Amida Buddha.

Namu Amida Butsu!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Unit 12 Even Though It is a Real Pitch-darkness It Remains Bright

Zuiken Sama

People who have not realized shinjin are no different from those living in hell; the only difference is that the ghosts have not yet come to torment them. If you still do not find the key to salvation, it seems as though you are living in hell right now. This condition will continue up to the very end of your life. Without realizing it now, you are seemingly in real pitch-darkness.

At the point of death, the real pitch-darkness will certainly arrive. I have been telling all of you about this continuously ever since the year before. Those who have not reverently accepted shinjin, even though their eyes are open and they walk in the light of the sun, are still in the real pitch-darkness. Such pitch dark conditions will remain until they die; this is what we term ‘wandering from darkness to deeper darkness’. On the other hand, those who have reverently accepted shinjin actually have their eyes opened in that very moment, and thus are living ‘illumined’ in the real pitch-darkness. Therefore, they ‘proceed from light to greater light’. It is of no avail if we do not proceed from light to greater light.

New Year’s Day though there is nothing at all Namu Amida Butsu!

New Year’s Day Namu Amida Butsu that’s enough!

New Year’s Day Namu Amida Butsu the Treasured Sail!

Do you want to ‘wander from darkness to deeper darkness’ along the way, or listen just once to Namu Amida Butsu and realize, ‘Ah, how inconceivable this is!’, thus plunging into the light? Then you will live in the embrace of Amida's light of compassion! Listening just once will turn your life into the all-embracing light of Amida Buddha. After that, the rest of life is bathed in the light and ends too in the light, ‘proceeding from light to greater light’.

Listening once capable of realizing birth Namu Amida Butsu

What will happen if Amida Buddha suddenly appears before you when you are in hell? ‘Ah, Amida Buddha is coming! Ah, He comes for my rescue!’ You have never pleaded with Him for this, and you wonder why. If Amida Buddha suddenly appears before you in hell, I suppose you will exclaim ‘Ah, what a great thing!’ Once seeing Amida Buddha, everything is just solved.

Zuiken Sama

(revised by Gabriel and approved by Melvin, 14 May 2013)