Mark Unno, "The Nembutsu of No-Meaning and The Problem of Genres in The Writings and Statements of Gutoku Shinran"

Summary by Jack Woltz. Edited by Mark Unno 2/19/2002.

Traditionally scholars consider the Kyogyoshinsho to be the centerpiece of Shinran's thought. Since it is complex and contains difficult concepts, Shin Buddhism is often viewed as stressing the importance of the mastery of doctrine. This view is not consistent with the entirety of genres produced by Shinran. This is evident when taking to account the audience Shinran was addressing, his mode of expression, and the insights that can be gained of Shin Buddhism when considering the various genres used (p1).

Shinran and his immediate followers wrote: philosophically-oriented works for intellectuals and scholar-monks, religious works for ordinary followers, songs, letters to his followers, records of his statements, and taxonomic summations (p1).

"I write only that foolish people may easily grasp the essential meaning." Shinran's aim is to communicate the nembutsu teaching with the greatest of accessibility. Most people of the time were not sophisticated intellectuals but rather illiterate. So he wrote letters that he encouraged followers to share and wasan or hymns that are written in verse and are often sung. Records of his statements also indicate a vast oral tradition of communicating the teaching. Taking all of the genres into account it is obvious that he is addressing people from all walks of life.

Within the variety of genres used, a number of them encourage self-expression as opposed to detached, academic discourse. And he does just that; he refers both directly and indirectly to his own personal experiences.

In the use of multiple genres, Shinran incorporates compassion that includes all people without any distinctions. The affirmation and dissolving of all distinctions into the compassion of Amida Buddha is reflected in all of the genres and is often expressed as no-meaning.