1) What is samsara? The illusory nature of samsara.
2) There is no creator god, ruler and judge of the world. The incompatibility of belief in a monotheistic god and Buddhism. Why those who believe in a creator god cannot have true faith in Amida Buddha? Difference between the so-called gods of monotheistic religions and Amida Buddha.
3) Buddhist explanations on the origin and existence of the universe.
4) The Buddhist teaching on rebirth.
5) The sufferings of samsara in the six planes of existence and the intermediate state (bardo)
6) The law of karma and the influence of karma from the past.
7) The rare chance to be born as a human being.
8) Death and impermanence.
9) What is a Buddha? Explain the term “Buddha” and “Tathagata”.
10) The role of Shakyamuni Buddha as explained in Jodo Shinshu.
11) The two types of Bodhisattva
12) The reality of Buddha nature
13) The innate qualities of Buddha nature
14) The True Self vs the false self
15) What did Shinran mean by “shinjin (faith) is Buddha nature”?
16) The true meaning of emptiness and the wrong view of nihilistic emptiness
17) The doctrine of innate or primordial Enlightenment
18) Only Buddhas can see Buddha nature.
19) Explain Amida Buddha in accordance with the doctrine of the Three Buddha bodies and the Two Buddha bodies. Show the relation between them.
20) The authenticity of the Mahayana sutras and the Pure Land sutras
21) Explain the story of Amida Buddha as told by Shakyamuni in the Larger Sutra.
22) The 12th and 13th Vows – the Infinite Light and Infinite Life of Amida Buddha
23) The twelve lights of Amida Buddha
24) Explain the Pure Land in accordance with the 31st and 32nd Vows of Amida Buddha
25) The two aspects of the Pure Land
26) The Nirvanic features of the Pure Land and its inhabitants according to the Larger Sutra
27)The lifespan of Amida Buddha and the enlightened beings in His Pure Land according to the Larger Sutra.
28)The Primal Vow (18th Vow) of Amida Buddha
29) What does it mean that the Primal Vow is inconceivable?
30) The 35th Vow of Amida Buddha and the salvation of women
31) The 19th Vow of Amida Buddha
32) The 20th Vow of Amida Buddha
33) The difference between birth in the true fulfilled land of the Pure Land (center of the Pure Land) and border land of the Pure Land or between those born in the Pure Land in embryonic form and those born by transformation.
34) The different roles of the Three Pure Land sutras in relation with the 18th, 19th and 20th Vows of Amida Buddha.
35) The 17th Vow of Amida Buddha and the encouragement by all Buddhas to aspire for birth in the Pure Land.
36) The 11th Vow of Amida Buddha
37) The 22nd Vow of Amida Buddha
38) The One Vehicle of the Primal Vow - the ultimate teaching of Shakyamuni and all Buddhas
39) The true disciple of Amida and all Buddhas
40) Virtues and activities of the Enlightened Bodhisattvas of the Pure Land in accordance with the Larger Sutra.
41) The meaning of the Three Refuges in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.
42) The Bodhi Mind as explained in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.
43) The karmic situation of beings who have no aspiration for Enlightenment as explained by Shakyamuni Buddha in the Larger Sutra.
44) The difference between jiriki (self-power) and Tariki (Other Power)
45) The doctrine of the Three Dharma Ages
46) To what kind of people is Jodo Shinshu intended for? Is Jodo Shinshu a selective teaching or a universal teaching?
47) The five conditions necessary for birth in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha.
48) What is shinjin (faith)? Explain the eight elements of faith and the eight “precepts” of faith as explained in Amidaji branch. Shinjin as the cause for Nirvana.
49) Counteract various wrong views related with Amida Buddha.
50) The testimony of Ananda and the audience gathered on Vulture Peak to the existence of Amida Buddha and His Pure Land.
51) The origin of shinjin (faith). Explain the idea that faith in Amida is not the creation of our minds.
52) The ten benefits in this life of a person who has faith in Amida Buddha.
53) Faith as the cause of entering the stage of non-retrogression as explained in the Larger Sutra.
54) Why some are saved by Amida Buddha and others are not?
55) Is faith (shinjin) associated with any special feelings or not? Give arguments for your position on this matter.
56) What is Nembutsu? What is the role of Nembutsu? How many times must be recited? What is the relation between Nembutsu and shinjin (faith)? Explain the Nembutsu before shinjin and Nembutsu after shinjin. Explain the saying “Nembutsu is non-practice”.
58) What is the role of listening the Dharma in our tradition? Explain the elements of listening deeply to Amida Dharma.
59) Favorable conditions for accepting the Larger Sutra in faith according to Shakyamuni Buddha.
60) Explain the two kinds of merit transference from Amida Buddha to the Nembutsu devotee.
61) What does it mean to be equal to Maitreya Buddha and “to be equal to all Buddhas”?
62) Explain the parable of “The Two Rivers and the White Path” by Master Shan-tao.
63) State of mind in the moment of death as it appears in Shinran’s teaching. In relation with this, explain the position of Shinran on “waiting for Amida to come and welcome us”.
64) The meaning of encountering or seeing Amida’s Light from the Larger Sutra.
65) The meaning of praising or glorifying Amida’s Light from the Larger Sutra
66) The three grades of aspirants to birth in the Pure Land in accordance with the Larger Sutra.
67) The meaning of birth in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha. When does birth in the Pure Land take place? Counteract various wrong views related with birth in the Pure Land
68) The benefits of birth in the Pure Land
69) Non-retrogressive bodhisattva followers (bodhisattvas in aspirations) who will be born in the Pure Land of Amida in accordance with the Larger Sutra.
70) Listening the Dharma in the presence of Amida and attaining perfect Enlightenment in accordance with the Larger Sutra
71) The relation between Buddhist morality and the assurance of being saved as we are by Amida Buddha. The true meaning of “there are no precepts”. Shakyamuni Buddha’s encouragement to do good in daily life and aspire for birth in the Pure Land from the Larger Sutra. Words of Rennyo Shonin useful for meat eaters. On the fact that we don’t need to change Buddhist morality when we are saved as we are. Explain the twelve precepts presented in Amida Dharma and the reason they were placed there.
Namo Amida Bu
PS: this is only the doctrinal examination. The candidate must also pass a liturgy examination and meet the requirements mentioned in the Constitution of Amidaji
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