Question: Zen Master Kodo Sawaki said: „Amitabha
(Amida) doesn’t exist because I believe he exists. Amitabha Buddha exists
without being concerned whether I believe in him or not. Regardless what I
think or believe, Amitabha is the whole heaven and earth. Being pulled by
Amitabha’s original vow that is the absolute reality, I function through my own
body, speech, and mind as all-pervading self. This is being a Buddha—a great being,
a truly mature person.” How do you comment on this?
Answer: I saw that passage about Amida Buddha
from Kodo Sawaki, a respected Zen master, quoted many times, like a big thing by Pure Land followers
who are not careful to what they share with others. At first sight, it's a good
teaching, but at a careful examination, we can see it’s nothing else but a Zen
interpretation and NOT in accord with the Jodo Shinshu teaching.