Question: I saw somewhere the saying that Jodo Shinshu is the teaching of non-ego. What does it mean?
My answer: Master Rennyo said: “The teaching of Buddha Dharma is the teaching of non-ego”.
In Buddhism, the teaching of non-ego is often linked with the image of Bodhisattvas who never think of themselves but are always dedicated to the salvation of all beings. This is true, but it is only one aspect of it. How can we, ignorant people, understand the teaching of non-ego? In what form do we find it emphasized in Jodo Shinshu? To follow the teaching of non-ego also means to abandon once and for all any thought of merit or non-merit, for it means not to include any personal calculation in matters that concern our birth in the Pure Land.
Rennyo Shonin also said:
“When a single thought of faith is awakened in us, our birth in the Pure Land is definitely settled. It is left up to Amida Tathagata whether He saves us after destroying our karmic evil or not. It is useless for us to discuss matters concerning our karmic evil. What concerns us is that Amida saves those who entrust themselves to Him.”
To
worry about our karma means to be blinded by ourselves and not to see the
Buddha. It means not to hear the teaching but the noises of our personal ego. I
wonder, how can the ego overcome itself while still relying on itself – how can
we make a mirror through polishing a brick? These are fundamental questions in
Jodo Shinshu. If Pure Land is the realm of Perfect Enlightenment, then why
think that our unenlightened mind can lead us there? How can the ego become a
Buddha? So, this is why we can say that Jodo Shinshu is the teaching of
non-ego.
Related links mentioned in the video:
The merit transference from Amida Buddha to those who entrust to Him
False (mundane) merits vs True (supramundane) merits
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