2-11 The Fivefold Doctrine
In these days, the teaching of our tradition set forth by Shinran Shonin is presented in different ways in different provinces. This is most deplorable.
For, although in our tradition the entrusting heart of Other Power comes first as the cause for birth of ordinary beings, some disregard and neglect the entrusting heart. They claim that the significance of the entrusting heart is not to forget that Amida Tathagata has settled our birth since he realized enlightenment ten kalpas ago. In such an assertion we find that taking refuge in Amida and attaining the entrusting heart of Other Power is totally lacking.
Even if we know that our birth has been settled since Amida’s enlightenment ten kalpas ago, unless we fully realize the entrusting heart of Other Power, through which we are to attain birth, we will not be born in the land of bliss.
Again, some other people say, “Even if you take refuge in Amida, without a good spiritual teacher, it is useless. Therefore, you should solely rely on a good spiritual teacher.”
These, too, are the words of people who have not admirably attained the entrusting heart of our tradition.
The function of a good spiritual teacher is simply to urge people to entrust themselves to Amida single-mindedly and unwaveringly. Accordingly, a fivefold doctrine has been established: first, stored good from the past; second, a good spiritual teacher; third, Amida’s light; fourth, the entrusting heart; fifth, the Name. It is stated that unless these five conditions are met, birth is unattainable.
Therefore, a good spiritual teacher is the messenger who urges us to take refuge in Amida. Unless we meet a good spiritual teacher through the ripening of stored good from the past, our birth is impossible. It is, however, a grave mistake to disregard Amida on whom we must rely and take only the good spiritual teacher as our refuge. This we should bear in mind.
Humbly and respectfully.
20th day of the 5th month, 6th year of Bunmei [1474]
2-11 五重義章
それ､ 当流親鸞聖人の勧化のおもむき､ 近年諸国において種々不同なり｡ これおほきにあさましき次第なり｡
そのゆゑは､ まづ当流には､ 他力の信心をもつて凡夫の往生を先とせられたるところに､ その信心のかたをばおしのけて沙汰せずして､ そのすすむることばにいはく､ ｢十劫正覚のはじめよりわれらが往生を弥陀如来の定めましましたまへることをわすれぬがすなはち信心のすがたなり｣ といへり｡ これさらに､ 弥陀に帰命して他力の信心をえたる分はなし｡
さればいかに十劫正覚のはじめよりわれらが往生を定めたまへることをしりたりといふとも､ われらが往生すべき他力の信心のいはれをよくしらずは､ 極楽には往生すべからざるなり｡
またあるひとのことばにいはく､ ｢たとひ弥陀に帰命すといふとも善知識なくはいたづらごとなり､ このゆゑにわれらにおいては善知識ばかりをたのむべし｣ と云々｡
これもうつくしく当流の信心をえざる人なりときこえたり｡
そもそも､ 善知識の能といふは､ 一心一向に弥陀に帰命したてまつるべしと､ ひとをすすむべきばかりなり｡ これによりて五重の義をたてたり｡ 一つには宿善､ 二つには善知識､ 三つには光明､ 四つには信心､ 五つには名号｡ この五重の義､ 成就せずは往生はかなふべからずとみえたり｡
されば善知識といふは､ 阿弥陀仏に帰命せよといへるつかひなり｡ 宿善開発して善知識にあはずは､ 往生はかなふべからざるなり｡ しかれども､ 帰するところの弥陀をすてて､ ただ善知識ばかりを本とすべきこと､ おほきなるあやまりなりとこころうべきものなり｡
あなかしこ､ あなかしこ｡
文明六年五月二十日
Index of individual letters:
Other Resources:
Letters of Rennyo: The Essence of Shin Buddhism (essay/talk by Rev. Daien T. Haseo)
Letters of Rennyo – On Youtube (presented by Rev. Sugahara Yuki)
Complete Letters of Rennyo translation by the Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai follow this link to their website to download a copy.
To purchase the book ‘Letters of Rennyo’ , Translated by as part of the Hongwanji Shin Buddhism Translation Series, this is the publication information & link:
- Title ：Letters of Rennyo
- ¥1,100
- Author ：Shin Buddhism Translation Series
- Language ：English
- ISBN ：4-938490-20-X
- pages ：164
Buy from Hongwanji International Center: https://international.hongwanji.or.jp/html/c3b1p1.html
If you would like a digital copy containing more translated letters than listed above (albeit not translated by Hongwanji), you can download a PDF from the Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK – Amercia) website here: Link: https://bdkamerica.org/product/tannisho-passages-deploring-deviations-of-faith-and-rennyo-shonin-ofumi-the-letters-of-rennyo/
Credits: The text for the Letters of Rennyo as presented on this and subsequent pages was originally shared on the following site : http://www.yamadera.info/seiten/seiten_index.htm
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