Complete peace of mind

After I received the message I quoted in my previous post on the difference between Jodo Shu and Jodo Shinshu, I asked another question to Inagaki Sensei (1) about an expression he used ("complete peace of mind") when referring to Jodo Shinshu and faith (shinjin). Here is my question and his answer:

QUESTION:
You said:
"In B (Jodo Shinshu), as soon as one attains absolute faith, one dwells in complete peace of mind. "
By "complete peace of mind", do you mean "assurance", that is the peace one feels because he knows he is assured of birth in Amida's Pure Land? This is how I understand what you said by "peace of mind". I don't think it means that one is no longer subject of suffering because one who received shinjin is still an ordinary person full of attachments during this life."

ANSWER (Inagaki Sensei):

 

"'Complete peace of mind" means the state of mind that you attain after giving up your self-power and entrusting yourself entirely up to Amida. As long as you live, you remain a bombu, full of evil passions - greed, anger and stupidity. Even after you have attained shinjin, you are subject to anxiety and distress. It is like a loving mother; whenever you have a bitter experience in your life, your loving mother is waiting for you at home ready to embrace you and console you. Jodoshinshu people live and die in the compassionate hands of Amida Buddha."

Difference between Jodo Shu and Jodo Shinshu

I was asked about the difference between Jodo Shu and Jodo Shinshu (the school I belong to).
I myself asked Inagaki Sensei about this matter and here is his answer. I hope everybody will find it useful:


"Jodoshu (A) and Jodoshinshu (B)
by Zuio Hisao Inagaki
Feb. 27, 2008

◇ Though both A and B are based on the Primal Vow, A emphasizes recitation of the Name, whereas B stresses mental state of entrusting to Amida. It may be noted that those who say the Nembutsu do not necessarily place absolute faith in Amida but that those who have absolute faith in Amida unfailingly recite the Nembutsu.

◇ A tends to encourage voiced Nembutsu, whereas B accepts both voiced and soft Nembutsu. B speaks of 'natural' Nembutsu. A 'encourages' the followers to make great efforts to say the Nembutsu.

◇ The number of the Nembutsu recitations is often emphasized in A, but in B the number of the Nembutsu is not important. In B, even one Nembutsu is enough to receive Amida's merit, so long as absolute faith is securely established in one's mind.

◇ In A, even if one recites many Nembutsu all through life, one may not be able to attain peace of mind at the time of death. In B, as soon as one attains absolute faith, one dwells in complete peace of mind.

◇ It follows then that followers of A make great efforts to recite the Nembutsu until death when they expect to meet Amida's coming to welcome them to the Pure Land. Followers of B do not expect this, because they are peaceful and happy in Amida's embracing Light. 



related article - Peace and happiness of shinjin (faith)