Shin Buddhism and the two-fold truth of form and emptiness

 

(Classical Mahayana Buddhist formulation of two-fold truth is above the line.

Shinran's terminology, used in Shin Buddhism, is below the line. The terms below the line include attachment to form and liberation from attachment. Terms above the line are simply descriptive of the two-fold truth and do not include the aspects of attachment, suffering, and liberation from suffering.)

 

Form                                                                     Emptiness

Distinctions                                                           No distinctions

Words                                                                   Beyond words

 ___________________________________________________

              
blind passion                                                             boundless compassion
foolish being                                                              Amida Buddha
Namu                                                                        Amida Butsu
defiled world                                                             Pure Land
samsara                                                                      nirvana
self-power                                                                  other-power

 

Shinran (1173-1262), contemporary of Dogen (1200-1253)

 

Founding figure of Shin Buddhism, a form of Pure Land Buddhism, and the largest sect of Japanese Buddhism

Nirvana                           Parinirvana

True Entrusting          Birth (realization) of the Pure Land

 

Differences between Dogen and Shinran in their views of Buddhist practice and society

 

Dogen eventually removed himself from society at large and focused on his monastery, Eiheiji, deep in the mountains. Shinran, as part of the outlawed Pure Land movement, was exiled out into the countryside. Although eventually pardoned, Shinran chose to remain in the countryside, living along with peasants and fishermen, whom he considered to be more authentic, living close the earth, in rhythm with the life of Boundless Compassion. While Dogen was as celibate monastic, Shinran lived among lay people with his partner Eshinni, with whom he had four children.