(1) Shinran's genealogy and ordination Shonin's family comes from the Fujiwara clan. He was the son of Arinori, the third official at the Empress Dowager's office, who was the descendant in the sixth generation of Lord Arikuni, the Police and Judicial undersecretary. Arikuni's ancestor in the sixth generation was Lord Uchimaro of the second grade of the first court rank [General of the Imperial Guards, Vice-Minister (posthumously, Chief Minister), who was called Minister Gonagaoka and also Minister Kan'in and was the son of Matate, head of the Ceremonial Office, the chief state counselor, and was the grandson of Lord Fusazaki, Prime Minister (posthumously, granted the first grade of the first court rank)]. Uchimaro was the great-grandson of the Privy Minister Kamako, Holder of the Grand Crown. Kamako who was the descendant in the twenty-first generation of the August One Amatsu-koyane.
Considering Shonin's distinguished birth, there may have been high expectations from him to serve the Imperial Court until old age or enjoy fame and prosperity at the Ex-emperor's Office. However, his emphatic desire to promote Buddhism and benefit living beings led to his ordination at the age of nine. Accompanied by his uncle and foster father, Lord Aritsuna [of the second grade of the third court rank (then the second grade of the fourth court rank), who was formerly the feudal lord of Wakasa Province and a close retainer of the Ex-emperor Goshirakawa], Shonin visited the residence of the former great archbishop [Master Jien, also Jichin, who was the son of Lord Hosshoji and the elder brother of Lord Tsukinowa]. At this temple, Shonin had his head shaved and was given the Buddhist name Hannen, with the title 'minor state counselor.'
Henceforth, Shonin delved into the profound teaching of Master Nan-yueh and Master T'ien-t'ai, and reached the truth of Buddha-vehicle through the triple contemplation. He also studied the tradition of Master Genshin who dwelled at Shuryogon-in in Yokawa Precinct, and became thoroughly acquainted with the doctrine of perfect fusion embracing all the four distinct teachings. (2) Shinran became Honen's disciple In the spring of the first year of Kennin (1201), when Shonin was twenty-nine years of age, the desire for renunciation of the ephemeral world drew him to Master Genku at his hermitage in Yoshimizu. Since in the latter days people's spiritual capacities are inferior and the narrow streets of Difficult Practices are too confusing for them, he had been seeking the Great Path of Easy Practice. As Master Genku, the great patriarch who promulgated the True Teaching, explained to him the intrinsic depth of the teaching and the breadth of the doctrinal principle, he instantly realized the essential way of salvation by the Other-Power and attained True Mind which is the direct path to the Pure Land - the path which accommodates ordinary people. (3) Shinran's vision in a dream On the fifth day of the fourth month in the third year of Kennin (1203)[metal/cock], Shonin had a vision at night in the hour of tiger. According to the record, the World-saving Bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara, of the Rokkakudo manifested himself in the form of a holy monk of dignified appearance, wearing a white robe and sitting in a proper posture on the pedestal of a huge lotus flower. He said to Zenshin,
"If you, practitioner, are obliged to have a sexual contact with a woman through some past karma,
I will transform myself as a beautiful woman and become your partner.
I will adorn you with virtues throughout your life,
And at your death I will guide you to the Land of Utmost Bliss."
The World-saving Bodhisattva added, "This is my vow. Zenshin, proclaim the main point of my vow to all the multitudes of beings."
At that time, while still in a dreamy state, Zenshin looked eastward from inside the hall, and saw a lofty mountain, on which thousands of millions of people were assembled. He proclaimed to them the essential point of the message as related in the vision. When he thought he had finished this, he awoke.
As I read this record and think about the vision he had in a dream, I see that this is an auspicious sign foretelling the growth of Shinshu and an indication of the Nembutsu spreading further. In this connection, Shonin later remarked, "Buddhism arose in the Western Land (India) and its scriptures have been transmitted to the Eastern Land (Japan). This is due solely to the great virtue of Prince of the Jogu Palace (Shotoku), which is higher than a mountain and deeper than the ocean. These scriptures were brought here during the reign of the Emperor Kinmei of our imperial dynasty, and the authentic sutras and discourses of Pure Land Buddhism were transmitted at that time. If the Imperial Heir (Shotoku) had not bestowed great benevolence upon us, how could we, ordinary, ignorant people, ever meet the Primal Vow? As the World-saving Bodhisattva is the original state of the Imperial Heir, he manifested his original august body to reveal his vow of incarnating himself in human form and spreading the Dharma. If the Great Master (Honen) had not been banished, how could I ever have had a chance to go to a place of exile? If I had not been sent to the place of exile, how could I have converted multitudes of people living in the remote countryside? I am indebted to the Master's benevolence for this, too. The Great Master was an incarnation of Mahasthamaprapta, and the Prince was a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara. Through the guidance of these two bodhisattvas, I am now transmitting the Tathagata's Primal Vow. Thus Shinshu is growing, and the Nembutsu teaching is spreading. I have, however, simply followed the instructions of the holy ones, not my own foolish notions. The weighty vows of these two bodhisattvas are to recommend single-hearted recitation of the name of one Buddha. Practicers today should not mistakenly take refuge in the attendant bodhisattvas. They should go straight to the primal Buddha (Amida) for refuge."
Accordingly, Shinran Shonin worships the Imperial Prince by the side of the Buddha. He does so in order to acknowledge his indebtedness to the Prince for spreading the Buddha Dharma. (4) Ren'i's vision in a dream On the ninth day of the second month in the eighth year of Kencho (1256), at the hour of the tiger at night, Shaku Ren'i had a vision in a dream:
Prince Shotoku bowed in worship to Shinran Shonin and said in verse,
"Adoration to Amida Buddha of Great Compassion!
You have appeared in this world (as Shinran Shonin) to spread the excellent teaching;
You lead people of the evil world in the evil period of the five defilements
To definitely attain the supreme enlightenment."
Hence, it is clear that Shonin, the Patriarchal Master, was an incarnation of Amida Tathagata. |
