In question, I ask:
It is not clear to me under what circumstances our sect has come to be called the "Ikko-Shu" (One-Mind Sect) by the general public.
In answer, I reply:
It has been established with certainty that our Founder did not particularly name our school the "Ikko-Shu." On the whole, the reason the people call us this is that we place our complete reliance, exclusively, on Amida Buddha. However, since it is explained in the Sutra as ". . . with One Mind, place reliance on the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life . . . ," to be called the "One-Mind Sect" is of no importance when there is the meaning that we should place reliance with one mind on the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life.
However, the Founder has specifically named this sect "Jodo Shinshu." Therefore, you must understand that we of our sect did not originate in any manner or form the name of "One-Mind Sect." The other Pure Land Sects presumably permit the practices of the various austerities, but our Shonin eliminated these practices. This is why rebirth in the True Land of Recompense is realized by us. For this reason, the word "Shin" (True) was inserted by our Founder.
In question, I ask:
That this sect was named "Jodo Shinshu" is clearly understood. However, in this denomination it teaches that regardless of being a layman with the depravities of the Ten Major Evils and the Five Cardinal Sins, one will be reborn in the Land of Recompense without difficulty by simply placing his reliance on the Power of the Original Vow of Amida Buddha. I would like to have this explained in detail.
In answer, I reply:
The purport of our school is that those who attain Determined-Faith will realize rebirth in the True Land of Recompense without fail. Therefore, if one were to explain what this "Faith" is, it would be: to place Faith only in Amida with one-mind and without doubt; and to disregard any of the other Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, etc.; and to place reliance with a singleness of heart without doubt in Amida Tathagata. This, in particular, is called "Determined-Faith." The two characters for "Shinjin" (Believe-Heart) may also be read "Heart of Truth." By "Heart of Truth" it is meant that inasmuch as deliverance for us is not attainable as devotees who practice the austerities of those in the path of self-power because of our impure and bigoted hearts, our deliverance is dependent upon the pure heart of the Other-Power of Tathagata. For this reason, this is called the "Heart of Truth."
Further, there can be no deliverance by just the recitation of the Sacred Name without the due understanding of it. Thus, it is explained in the Sutra, ". . . hear this Name and rejoice in Faith . . ." By ". . . hear this Name . . ." it is not meant that one should hear the Sacred Name of the six characters of "Na"-"Mu"-"A"-"Mi"-"Da" and "Butsu" in a senseless and aimless manner but it means that one should come in contact with a person who teaches and discourses in the Dharma, and should be taught by him the principle of the deliverance by Amida Buddha without fail if one places reliance in the Sacred Name of "Namu Amida Butsu" as "Namu." This is explained in the Sutra as "... rejoice in Faith..." In accordance with this, it should be understood that the substance of "Namu Amida Butsu" is the condition of our deliverance.After understanding the preceding in the manner as explained, believe that the recitation of the Sacred Name while at work or at rest, sitting or reclining, is nothing more than the Nembutsu for the expression of gratitude towards Amida Tathagata for our deliverance. In other words, such a person is called a devotee of the Nembutsu of the Other-Power who has Determined-Faith and who is to be reborn in the Land of Bliss.
With reverence, I remain
This passage, completed at the Yamanaka spa, Kaga Province, at 10:00 a.m. on the second day of the latter part of the 9th month of the 5th year of Bunmei (1473).
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