Download Terms Used in Shin Buddhism

TERMS USED IN SHIN BUDDHISM!
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Jodo Shinshu (“Shin”) Buddhism is about practicing and listening to the dharma. You may run
across some of these terms when reading about Shin Buddhism. This little dictionary of terms
comes from the Three Wheels Shin Buddhist House website.!
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Amida Buddha
The Buddha of Infinite Light and Eternal Life. These epithets denote his transcendental wisdom
and unconditional love which are the two essential qualities of Buddhahood which Amida
embodies. Amida is the central Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism.
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Bodhicitta
Literally ‘Enlightment Mind’; the aspiration to attain Enlightenment for the salvation of all
beings.
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Bodhisattva
Literally, "a sentient being (sattva) of enlightenment (bodhi)", who vows to attain Enlightenment
for the salvation of all beings. In Mahayana Buddhism, the bodhisattva is expected to undergo
fifty-two stages before he or she attains the final Supreme Enlightenment, the last stage of which
is as close as possible to Buddhahood.
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Bonbu
The term bombu literally means ‘ordinary beings’ still remaining ignorant or unenlightened in
contrast to the awakened or enlightened such as Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. In Shin Buddhist
religious philosophy we remain bombu until we attain birth in the Pure Land. Awakening to the
fact we are bombu is a crucial part of the Shin Buddhist faith-experience or religious awakening,
as it occurs simultaneously with our awakening to the unconditional love and compassion of
Amida Buddha, who saves all beings without any discrimination whatsoever. Thus, it is through
entrusting ourselves to this Original Vow of Amida Buddha that we, bombu, attain birth in the
Pure Land and then Enlightenment.
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Chomon
(1) [concentrated] hearing and listening [to the Buddha-dharma]; Sincere listening leads us to
hear the Dharma and be awakened to the reality of our own existence and that of Amida Buddha;
hence the famous phrase, "To hear is to entrust oneself". (2) Chomon is also the name of a
special practice (established by the 13th Head Priest of Shogyoji; Reion Takehara) which
involves solitary introspection and sutra study followed by discussions with Dharma friends.
This kind of chomon is often called an Introspection Session.
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Dharma
Doctrine, truth of Buddhism.
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Dharma-kaya
Truth aspect of a Buddha in Mahayana teaching.
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Encounter in Shin Buddhism
Life is a series of encounters; we encounter and re-encounter one another on a daily basis.
Encounter can serve as the very source of spiritual light in our lives, provided it is realised
purely. To know oneself and to be awakened to oneself, and at the same time to love and respect
others just as they are—this is the true meaning of the well-known phrase ‘Harmony within
diversity’. When you awaken to what you are, you find yourself to be so pleased that you cannot
help but love others just as they are. We arrive at this newfound situation through the spiritual
light of self-awakening that breaks down the barriers that we have thrown up between ourselves
and others. In the Tannisho we can sense this taking place in the genuine encounter between
Shinran Shonin and Yuien. All too often, though, we are too full of blind passions and
attachments to realise such harmony within diversity, and these obstructions that lie within
ourselves impede our ability to encounter one another in a completely pure and open way. This is
the reason we need religion in our daily life. It is perhaps well to remember that the Buddhist
understanding of the term differs considerably from its primary meanings in standerd English,
which carry with them ideas of unexpectedness and conflict. It is only the term ‘encounter
group’, used in a psychiatric context, that comes close to the Buddhist usage.
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Eza
lit. meeting together; a faith meeting where everyone sits around the Hondo in a circle and are
invited to share their impressions on a particular event or subject so as to confirm the joy of faith
through mutual interaction.
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Filial Piety
The ethics of love and respect towards one’s parents and ancestors.
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Five Grave Offences
Those who commit the five grave offenses, deeds sending one to the depths of Avici hell, are
regarded as criminals of the highest degree. The Early Buddhists listed the five gravest offenses
to be: 1. killing one’s father, 2. killing one’s mother, 3. killing an arhat, 4. creating disharmony in
the Samgha, 5. causing blood to flow from the body of a Buddha. The Mahayana tradition
enumerates the following five: 1. destroying temples or stupas, burning sutras or buddha-images,
2. disparaging Hearers, Solitary Buddhas, or the Mahayana teaching, 3. obstructing the practice
of a priest, murdering him, 4. committing one of the five grave offenses, 5. committing
unrighteous acts without fearing retribution from them.
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Five Precepts
1. Not to destroy life, 2. Not to steal, 3. Not to commit adultery, 4. Not to lie, 5. Not to consume
intoxicants.
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Five Supernatural Powers
1. The power of free activity in order to travel or transform oneself as one wishes, 2. The power
to see and perceive everything, 3. The power to hear all the voices of the world, 4. The power to
know all that is in others minds, 5. The power to know the past conditions or lives of oneself and
others.
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Gassho
The placing of the palms of the hands together in a gesture of devotion, respect and entrusting.
When saying the nembutsu the juzu is held so as to encircle the joined hands.
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Great Living
Jp: daigyo. It is also translated as great practice. Great living refers to the Nembutsu. In the
teaching of Shin Buddhism the Nembutsu as the devotee’s way of living is an expression of the
attainment of faith in Amida Buddha. It is called ‘great’ as it is a manifestation of the working
Amida Buddha rather than an act or practice that belongs to an ordinary unenlightened being.
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Gyosen Taya
The phrase ‘Gyosen’ in ‘Gyosen Taya’ means ‘joyous ferry boat’ and ‘Taya’ refers to ‘a Taya
house’ or typical form of Shin Buddhist accommodation. The image of a ‘joyous ferry boat’
comes from a paragraph in Nagarjuna’s Discourse on the Ten Stages (Skt. dasabhumikavibhasa), “Just as there are in the world difficult and easy paths – traveling on foot by land is full
of hardship and traveling in a boat by sea is pleasant – so it is amongst the bodhisattvas.” Thus,
‘Gyosen Taya’ means a Taya house where we can enjoy a pleasant journey to the Pure Land on a
ferryboat of joyous faith.
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Hondo
The Buddha-hall in a temple; where the Gohonzon (object of worship) is enshrined.
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Hoza
lit. Dharma meeting; this term is used to describe a meeting given at the temple where somebody
gives a pre-prepared talk standing at the front lectern. People sit in rows facing the speaker.
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Ignorance
Jp: mumyo. The inability to comprehend the Buddha’s wisdom. Because of their ignorance
sentient beings are unable to comprehend Amida Buddha’s wisdom and compassion and thus
harbour doubts towards him and his teaching. Thus in Shin Buddhism ignorance is seen to be
synonymous with doubt. Ignorance is the fundamental cause of the cycle of birth and death
(Sanskrit: samsara).
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Jodo Shinshu
Jodo Shinshu (also known as Shin Buddhism in the West) is a school of Japanese Pure Land
Buddhism founded by Shinran Shonin (1173-1262). This tradition emphasizes salvation through
faith alone rather than relying on one’s own efforts to attain enlightenment. The teaching is based
on the Three Pure Land Sutras – The Larger Sutra of Eternal Life, The Amida Sutra and the
Meditation Sutra – the primary being the Larger Sutra in which Amida Buddha made his
Original Vow to save without any discrimination all sentient beings who call his Name in true
faith. The essence of this faith in Shin Buddhism lies in awakening - awakening both to one’s
own karmic reality as an unenlightened being and the unconditional love of Amida Buddha.
These are two aspects of the same reality: true faith. Our awakening is expressed through the act
of pronouncing Amida’s Name – Namu Amida Butsu – meaning “I take refuge in Amida
Buddha”, which is known in this tradition as the nembutsu. The nembutsu in this form is the
‘right act’ that ensures us of birth in the Pure Land and our subsequent Enlightenment.
Pronouncing the name is therefore an expression of our gratitude to Amida, and to everyone and
everything which has led us to encounter his saving Vow. Amida Buddha is called The Buddha of
Infinite Light and Eternal Life. Infinite Light represents wisdom illuminating the darkness of our
ignorance and Eternal Life represents his compassion, for as long as there are sentient beings
caught in the wheel of suffering, he will remain to bring them to his Pure Land.
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Juzu
a.k.a. Nenju; A string of beads which is looped over both hands when in gassho, and otherwise
held in the left hand. They form a reminder of our blind passions which are each individually
embraced and transformed by the Light of Amida.
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Karma
Literally means ‘action’ and refers to deeds which determine the quality of subsequent
experience. According to the teachings of the Buddha each person is responsible for each action
he or she takes. When the notion of “wrongdoing” or “bad karma” (zaigo) is referred to, it is
always with this principle in mind. Because one is responsible for everything one does, one
becomes aware in the light of the Buddha that such actions, carried out selfishly, constitute
“wrong-doing” or “bad karma” and should be viewed as such. When those dark, negative aspects
are vanquished through the instantaneous awakening of faith, there opens up for us that deepest
spiritual dimension where we can live our lives positively, always hoping to benefit ourselves
and others at the same time.
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Kyogyoshinsho (KGSS)
The popular, abbreviated title of Shinran Shonin’s major work which is formally called the
Kenjodo Shinjitsu Kyogyosho Monrui (The True Teaching, Practice, and Realization of the Pure
Land Way). Completed in 1224 it consists of a systematic presentation of the Jodo Shin teaching
through the use of carefully selected quotations from the Buddhist Canon which are set alongside
Shinran’s own comments. The famous Shin Buddhist hymn Shoshinge can be found at the end of
the ’Shin’ (Faith) section [Chapter II].
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Namu Amida Butsu
Originally a Sanskrit phrase it means I take refuge in Amida Buddha. Namu-amida-butsu first
occurs in the Meditation Sutra.
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Nembutsu
To pronounce the Name of Amida Buddha. The Nembutsu in Shin Buddhism is to call the Name
(jp: myogo)of Amida Buddha with joy and gratitude having awakened to both the Unconditional
Love of Amida Buddha and the reality of one’s own karmic existence. It is recited thereafter as
an expression of the gratitude, not as a form of religious practice or as a meritorious act.
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Non-Retrogression
Outcome of shinjin or absolute faith, entry into pure land assured.
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Other Power (JP: Tariki)
Central Shin Buddhist term for Amida’s saving action.
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Otsutome
lit. daily devotions; consists primarily of two services, morning and evening, as well as informal
nembutsu recitation at any time. Otsutome is also known as gongyo or steadfast practice.
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Peaceful Awareness
(Anjin) Refers to ‘the awareness attained through the awakening of faith’. “Peaceful awareness”
or anjin means 1) the awareness of the sad reality of one’s existence, filled with blind passions
and karmic hindrances, and 2) the awareness at the same time of the Buddha’s unconditional love
that saves all beings just as they are without any discrimination at all. Such peaceful awareness
of salvation through the Buddha’s great compassion is gained through the experience of having
the pure faith to entrust oneself absolutely to the Buddha just as one is. In other words “peaceful
awareness” is the peaceful state of mind in which one is fully aware of oneself and of the
Buddha, both at the same time.
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Pure Land
Jp: jodo. In the original Sanskrit Pure Land is Sukhavati which means ‘Land of Happiness’.
Specifically it is the Pure Land of Amida Buddha. The Pure Land is the world of Enlightenment
where there is no birth and no death. Thus the Pure Land is also said to be the equivalent of
Nirvana. Birth in the Pure Land means certainly attaining Buddhahood.
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Rennyo
(1415-1499) - Rennyo was the 8th Head Priest and so-called Second Founder of the Honganji
subsect of Jodo Shinshu. He inherited a Dharma movement which was suffering from
persecution, decline, and disarray, and through great personal effort and hardship revived and
popularised Shinran Shonin’s teachings so effectively that Shin became the largest Buddhist
tradition in Japan. Arguably his greatest legacy is his collection of letters (ofumi) which are read
out in services allowing us to hear his guidance everyday (English translations are available). He
is also famous for repeating over and over; "Shinjin is the true cause of birth in the Pure Land;
saying the Name is the response of gratitude for Amida’s benevolence."
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Samgha
Originally the title of the monastic order founded by Shakyamuni Buddha, the term nowadays
describes any community or grouping of Buddhist followers. The Samgha is one of the Triple
Treasures (Buddha, Dharma, Samgha) because it is responsible for the preservation and
transmission of the teachings.
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Sanrin Shoja
‘Sanrin Shoja’ literally means ‘Three Wheels Temple’, from ‘Sanrin’, ‘three wheels’, and
‘Shoja’, a ‘Buddhist temple’ or ‘vihara’. The key notion ‘three wheels’ derives from a phrase
found in the Shinjikangyo (Skt. tri-mandala-parisuddhi) that states that “three wheels should be
pure". The three wheels here stand for giver, receiver and gift. This wonderful ideal from
Mahayana practice is beautifully described in the poem “Three Wheels” featured in the poetry
portion of the Writing Section.
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Shakamuni Buddaha (Gautama Buddha)
The founder of Buddhism. Shinran-Shonin declares himself to be his disciple. Shakamuni
Buddha is the source of knowledge of Amida Buddha and his Primal Vows.
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Shin Buddhism
Please go to Jodo Shinshu.
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Shinjin
Eng:Faith. Shinjin is an awakening to the two aspects of reality, namely the saving power of
Amida Buddha’s Original Prayer and the nature of one’s defiled karmic existence. This
awakening occurs simultaneously through the working of Other Power. This faith is called ‘true’
or ‘pure’ as it is given to us by Amida Buddha and is not self-created.
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Shinran
(1173-1262) – The founder of Shin Buddhism. Shinran was an ex-Tendai monk and disciple of
the famous Pure Land teacher Honen. Although Shinran Shonin never attempted to found his
own sect, his innovative and unique approach to the Pure Land teaching became known as the
Jodo Shin (or Shin Buddhist) tradition. The wonderful characteristic of Shinran Shonin’s
teaching is his deep sincerity and honesty about his own personal problems (he referred to
himself as Gutoku Shinran or "Ignorant stubble-hair Shinran"), and his joyful and absolute trust
in the nembutsu way. This sincerity and faith is most famously captured in a collection of his
words known as the Tannisho (compiled by his disciple Yuien-bo), though he also wrote a great
many of his own works such as the vast Kyogyoshinsho (a compilation of scriptural passages
arranged in such a way as to clarify the Pure Land teachings) and the Wasan (Hymns)
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Shokai
A form of spiritual training session which was instigated at Shogyoji by the late Head Priest,
Reverend Master Reion Takehara (Daigyoin-sama). During the war it was commonplace for
people to evacuate or escape from the city to the countryside; an action known as Sokai.
Daigyoin-sama took this secular term and altered it to give it a positive conception of
confronting rather than running away from life. The two characters in the term Shokai mean
respectively "letting flow" (sho) and "opening" (kai) and thus describe a period of spiritual
practice designed to allow the waters of faith to flow freely both in the individual and interpersonal dimensions. As Rennyo Shonin exhorts us in the Ofumi (I.16, On Sarae No Sho):
"Constantly dredge out the Channel of Faith and let the water of Amida’s Dharma flow freely".
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Shoshinge
‘Hymn on the Right Faith in the Nembutsu’ is a gatha (religious hymn or verse) composed by
Shinran Shonin the founder of Shin Buddhism. It can found in his main work the Kyogyoshinsho
(Collection of Passages Expounding the True Teaching, Living, Faith and Realising of the Pure
Land) towards the latter part of the volume on Gyo (Living or Practice). The Shoshinge is a
primary text of Shin Buddhism which contains the essentials of its religious thought from the
account of Amida Buddha’s Vow to save all beings through to the teachings of the seven Pure
Land Masters of India, China and Japan, who clarified and transmitted the true meaning of this
Vow. It has normally been chanted in morning and evening services since the days of Rennyo
Shonin who popularised its use as the main liturgical text.
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Sravaka
‘Hearer’ of the Buddha’s teaching; refers to disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha who listened to his
teaching and practised for their own salvation.
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Supreme Enlightenment
The Buddha’s Enlightenment or Wisdom which is supreme, right, impartial and perfect; the
highest Enlightenment. It is from this experience of Enlightenment that the great love and
compassion of the Buddha works for the salvation of all sentient beings.
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Sutras
The record of Shakamuni Buddha’s teaching. Of the three Pure Land Sutras the Larger is the
source for the Primal Vows and the Smaller for the vital importance of Other Power
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Tannisho
Sole record by an immediate disciple (Yuien) of Shinran\'s true teachings.
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Tathagata
One of the ten epithets of the Buddha meaning “One who has thus come” from the realm of True
Reality or ‘Suchness’.
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Taya
A residence, usually in or near a temple or dojo (and often supervised by a priest), the main
purpose of which is to enable those who stay there to attain faith and live their lives with pure
faith. The taya system originated in Rennyo Shonin’s day but has now almost died out in Japan,
with the notable exception of Shogyoji which revived the tradition in the early twentieth century.
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Ten Evil Acts
1. destroying life, 2. theft, 3. adultery, 4. lying, 5. talking nonsense, 6. speaking evil of others, 7.
speaking with forked tongued, 8. greed, 9. anger, 10. irrationality.
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Ten Quarters
The eight points of the compass (four cardinal points and four intermediate points), the zenith
and the nadir, i.e. the whole universe.
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Tenrin Taya
‘Tenrin Taya’, literally ‘a turning-wheel Taya house’, means ‘a Taya house’ or typical form of
Shin Buddhist accommodation, where the Buddha’s Dharma Wheel (Skt. dharama-cakra) keeps
turning as it works for the salvation of all other beings. The Dharma Wheel, or Wheel of Truth, is
a symbol of Buddhism and the ‘turning-wheel’ actually refers to the activity of teaching the
Buddha-dharma. When the Great Dharma Wheel turns, the ‘three wheels’ – giver, receiver and
gift – become one through its work of purification. See the poem “Three Wheels” found in the
poetry portion of the Writing Section.
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Triple Treasure
The ‘Three Treasures’ of Buddhism, namely Buddha, Dharma and Samgha.
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Wasan
Japanese Hymns written by Shinran Shonin. There are three main collections of these hymns:
Jodo Wasan -Japanese Hymns on the Pure Land, Koso Wasan – Hymns on the Patriachs of the
Pure Land Tradition and the Shozomatsu Wasan – Hymns on the Periods of Right Dharma,
Resemblant Dharma and Last Dharma. Rennyo Shonin established the liturgical use of the wasan
and published an edition of the three collections for chanting. Since that time six of these wasan
are chanted each day during the main daily services in Shin Buddhist temples.
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What has been done for us
Translation of the Chinese character ‘ON’. It is said that in Buddhism in general there are four
kinds of ‘ON’ : 1) that of one’s parents, i.e. what has been done for us by our parents, 2) that of
the king, i.e. what has been done by the king in his role as a symbol of state, 3) that of all sentient
beings, meaning what has been done for one by other people or other living beings, and 4) that of
the Triple Treasure (Buddha, Dharma and SaCgha), signifying what has been done for a seeker
after truth by the Triple Treasure. The word ‘ON’ has also been rendered as benevolence, grace,
favour, benefit, kindness, gift, indebtedness etc.