Hi Dharma-friends,

This episode is a little different than others in the series because it is a prose passage inserted into the collection instead of verses.  It is like a little Dharma talk or message from Shinran himself.  It is known as "On Jinen Hōni"  Jinen Hōni is often rendered into English as "naturalness."   By way of introduction to this very basic Shin Buddhist concept of "naturalness," a definition by Rev. Mark Unno found online is very helpful:  "The foolish being is always contriving or calculating to reach a goal dualistically, whether that goal is material, such as worldly success or health, or is spiritual such as enlightenment or birth.  The one who becomes aware of this foolishness and is receptive to the compassion of Amida is led beyond this contrivance to a realm of spontaneous freedom.  This spontaneity, in contrast to the contrivance of the foolish being, is called jinen hōni, the suchness of spontaneity, or more simply, naturalness."  Let's enjoy listening to Shinran's take on Jinen Hōni  in his own words, even if only in translation.

Next time we'll wind up our journey through the Shōzōmatsu Wasan with Shinran's concluding verses.  Until then, please be well!  For more Dharma content, be sure to check out the home page of the American Buddhist Study Center, ambuddhist.org

Palms together, Gary