Biography of Shinran Shonin (audio version)

This is the official biography of Shinran Shonin as accepted by Nishi Hongwanji branch of Jodo Shinshu, and also by our temple, Amidaji. The reason I say so is that this biography is recited aloud on every Hoonko week (Shinran’s Memorial) at Nishi Hongwanji mother temple between January 9th to January 16th. 

The title of the biography is “An Illustrated Biography of Shinran, Honganji's Shonin (Honganji Shonin Shinran Denne)” and was compiled by Kakunyo, the 3rd Monshu of Hongwanji temple.

The narrator of this biography is Gansen John Welch, a member, and teacher in Amidaji temple sangha. The edition he uses was translated by Rev Zuio Hisao Inagaki and can be accessed at this link, http://web.mit.edu/stclair/www/horai/denne-index.htm Please click there if you wish to read the whole text together with an introduction, images, and notes.

Life of Shinran Shonin (VIDEO- ANIME)

I have just uploaded this movie about Shinran’s life which is also a good introduction into his teachings. The movie was done by Hongwanji and it is in Japanese but it contains English subtitles. Please enjoy it and share it with others

Shinran – a manifestation of Amida Buddha and Avalokitesvara

 Click here to download the Spanish version

 

Last revised: May 23, 2021

 

Before I enter this topic, lets think a little about Shakyamuni, the Founder of Buddhism in our world.
Did He become a Buddha during His life on this earth that we all know from history, or had He attained Buddhahood countless lifetimes ago, in the incomprehensibly remote past? Or was He the manifestation of Amida Buddha?

The answer depends on which sutras you choose to read. In many sutras the first situation is presented, in others the second is taken as a profound truth (for example, the Lotus Sutra, - Life Span chapter). The Pure Land sutras are interpreted by Shinran Shonin to clearly show the third situation in which the true reason for the appearance of Shakyamuni in the world was to teach the Dharma about Amida Buddha’s salvation. In my case, the third is the one I prefer.