Rennyo Shonin
1415-1499

GOBUNSHO

Chapter on the Teaching of Shinran Shonin
(Shonin Ichiryu Sho)

Translation #1
Chapter on the Teaching of Shinran Shonin (BCA Service Book, 1994)

Shinran Shonin taught that the essence of Jōdo Shinshū is Shinjin. The reason is that by abandoning all other practices and completely entrusting ourselves in Amida Buddha, our spiritual rebirth is assured by Amida through the inconceivable power of the Primal Vow. This is known as “entering the ranks of Truly Assured at the very moment of Shinjin.” Thereafter all utterances of the Nembutsu should be understood only as expressions of gratitude for Amida’s assurance of our spiritual rebirth.

With reverence, I remain…

Translation #2
BDK (1996)
On Faith as FundamentalWhat is taught by the Master [Shinran] and by his school is that faith is fundamental. For when we cast away the sundry practices and singleheartedly take refuge in Amida, birth [in the Pure Land] is assured by the Buddha through the inconceivable working of the Vow. [Attaining] this state is also described [in the Larger Sutra] as “entering, with the awakening of the one thought- moment [of entrusting], the company of those [whose birth in the Pure Land is] truly settled” (Daimuryōjukyō, T.12:272b; Jōdo ronchū, T.40:826b; Kyōgyōshinshō, T.83:597b). The nenbutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha, should then be understood as the nenbutsu of gratitude in return for Amida’s benevolence, through which the Tathāgata has established our birth.

Respectfully.

Translation #3
Letters of Rennyo (Hongwanji International Center, 2000)
The Tradition of Shinran Shonin

What is taught in the tradition of Shinran Shonin is that the entrusting heart is essential. For when we abandon various practices and take refuge in Amida with singleness of heart, our birth in the Pure Land is settled by the Buddha through the inconceivable Vow-Power.

The state we thus attain is described as “with awakening of  a single thought of entrusting, we join those who are in the stage of the truly settled.” Recitation of the nembutsu thereafter should be understood to be the nembutsu as an expression of gratitude for the Tathagata’s benevolence for settling our birth in the Pure Land.

Humbly and respectfully.

Japanese Orignal Reading
Shōnin Ichiryū no Shō

Shō nin ichiryū no go kanke no omomuki wa, shinjin o motte hon to seraresōrō.
Sono yue wa, moro moro no zōgyō o nagesutete, isshin ni Mida ni kimyō sureba, fukashigi no ganriki toshite, Butsu no kata yori Ōjō wa jijō seshime tamō, sono kurai o, ichinen pokki nyū shō jō shuju tomo shaku shi, sono ue no shomyō Nembutsu wa, Nyorai waga Ojo o sadame taimaishi, go on hōjin no Nembutsu to kokoro u beki nari. Anakashiko, anakahsiko.