Year's end greetings

It is recorded in the Thus I have heard from Rennyo Shonin:

“….many people went to see the Shonin. The Shonin asked, "What brought so many people here?"

said, "I suppose they wish to express their gratitude for the inspiring sermons the other day (i.e., at the Hoonko service) and also to convey the year's end greetings and appreciation to you before you go to Tonda tomorrow."

The Shonin said, "The year's end greetings are totally useless. Tell them to gain shinjin and make this a token of appreciation for the year's end, will you?"