{"collection":"Buddhism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bud/ptpl/ptpl06.htm","path":"bud/ptpl/ptpl06.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bud/ptpl/ptpl06.htm","text":"Principal Teachings of The True Sect of Pure Land, by Yejitsu Okusa, [1915]\nThe Buddha Sh\u0101kyamuni left no writings of his own, and all we have of his teachings come from what his disciples retained in their memory and committed to writing after his death. These writings are called \"s\u016btras\" or canonical books, of which a large number is still in existence. Among them, there are three s\u016btras giving a full account of Amit\u0101yus Buddha who brought his effective name into perfection in order to save all sentient beings from sinking into the abyss of sin. The following are the three:\n1. The Amit\u0101yus-s\u016btra or Sukh\u0101vativy\u016bha-s\u016btra. Two volumes. In this the venerable Sh\u0101kyamuni talks to \u0100nanda and Maitreya on the Mount\n[paragraph continues] G\u1e5bdhrak\u016bta concerning the spiritual history of Amida. It was translated into Chinese in 252 A.D., by Samghavarman.\n2. The Amit\u0101yur Dhy\u0101na-s\u016btra. One volume. This records what Sh\u0101kyamuni preached for \u0100nanda and Vaideh\u012b at the Royal Palace in R\u0101jag\u1e5bha concerning the possibility of all sentient beings to be born in the Pure Land of Amit\u0101yus Buddha after the deliverance from this world of suffering. It was translated into Chinese in 424 A.D., by K\u0101layashas.\n3. The Amit\u0101yus s\u016btra, or Sukh\u0101vativy\u016bha-s\u016btra. One volume. In this is recorded what Sh\u0101kyamuni preached for Sh\u0101riputra at the garden of An\u0101thapindika, Shr\u0101vast\u012b, concerning the magnificence of the land of happiness and the virtues of Amit\u0101yus Buddha. It was translated into Chinese by Kum\u0101raj\u012bva in 402 A.D.\nOf these three s\u016btras, what is most\nimportant is the Amit\u0101yus s\u016btra in two volumes; for it is in this s\u016btra that the true signification of Amida to save all sentient beings is explained with thoroughness, and the teaching of the True Sect of Pure Land is no more than the doctrine enunciated in this s\u016btra. As to the signification of the other two s\u016btras, we assume a double interpretation, apparent and inward. The apparent signification of these s\u016btras, then, is that they supply us with a provisionary means whereby we are finally led to the ultimate reason of salvation by faith in Amida, while inwardly they unfold the real purport of salvation by faith in Amida, which is also the teaching of the Amit\u0101yus s\u016btra in two volumes. Thus, all these canonical books constitute the sacred lore of the True Sect, whose essential doctrine is to show the way of salvation through the grace of Amida.\nThere were a great many Indian,\n[paragraph continues] Chinese and Japanese predecessors of Shinran Sh\u014dnin, who like him preached the true doctrine of salvation by faith. And of these we regard the following seven as most contributing to the development of the teaching of the True Sect: that is, in India we have N\u0101g\u0101rjuna and Vasubandhu; in China, Donran (T\u2019an-luan), D\u014dshaku (Taoch\u2019ao), and Zend\u014d (Shan-tao); and in Japan, Genshin and Genk\u016b (also called H\u014dnen). They are designated the Seven Fathers (K\u014ds\u014d, meaning \"great patriarchs\") of the True Sect. Each one of them left special writings elucidating the faith and philosophy of it; they are:\nN\u0101g\u0101rjuna\u2014\"The Twelve Reverences\" (Jy\u016bni-rai).\nVasubandhu\u2014\"Discourse on Pure Land.\"\nDonran\u2014\"Commentary\" on the\nDonran\u2014\"Hymn Praising Amida Buddha.\"\nD\u014dshaku\u2014\"On Peace and Joy\" (Anrakush\u016b). 2 vols.\nZend\u014d\u2014\"A Commentary on the Amit\u0101yurdhy\u0101na-s\u016btra.\" 4 vols.\nZend\u014d\u2014\"The J\u014ddo-h\u014dji-san.\"\nZend\u014d\u2014\"The Kwannen-h\u014dmon.\"\nZend\u014d\u2014\"The W\u014dj\u014d-raisan.\"\nZend\u014d\u2014\"The Hanju-san.\"\nGenshin\u2014\"The W\u014dj\u014d-y\u014dsh\u016b.\" 3 vols.\nGenk\u016b\u2014\"The Senjaku-hongwan-nembutsu-sh\u016b; 2 vols.\nFrom this, it is evident that the fundamental truth of the True Sect was first taught by Sh\u0101kyamuni himself, which was later developed in detail and made more manifest by these seven fathers of the Sect, while Shinran Sh\u014dnin synthesised all these teachings severally brought forward by his predecessors into one system and gave it the name of the\n[paragraph continues] True Sect of Pure Land, whereby the doctrine of salvation by faith gained a new and deeper and clearer significance. In this sense, therefore, he is the founder of the True Sect, and his work on the \"Doctrine, Practice, Faith, and Attainment\" of the True Sect is its fundamental book. As to the other authoritative books published later than the one just mentioned, we have had occasion to refer to them in a previous chapter.","title":"Principal Teachings of The True Sect of Pure Land: II. Teachings of the True Sect of Pure Land: I. The Canonical Books","type":"page"}