Young Man Shinran: A Reappraisal of Shinran's Life

Description

The Japanese Pure Land master Shinran (1173-1262) was a product of his age. His angst in the period of the decay of the Dharma, his subsequent search for spiritual liberation, and his ultimate discovery of the path of the nembutsu could not have occurred isolated from the social temper of his time, any more than his religious thought could have developed beyond the fabric of traditional Japanese Buddhist teachings and practices. This study concentrates on the relationship between Shinran's experiences in the first half of his life and his historical and social environment. Both the boldness and subtlety of his ideas begin to emerge in this examination, moving beyond the hagiographical limitations often characteristic of research into the Shin tradition. Numerous Shinran studies have been bound by the limitations of either purely historical or religious-philosophical analysis. But these two approaches have rarely been combined, and since Shinran's early life and his cultural environment together constitute not only the basis but also the matrix of his mature thought and practice, such a combination reveals both the power of his ideas and the cultural factors that stimulated their development. Contents List of Tables Preface Introduction 1. Shinran Wrapped in a Shroud of Mystery A. His position in Buddhist biographical literature B. Shinran described in the biographical literature C. Historical context of Shinran's times D. Circumstances leading to Shinran's monastic career E. Conflicting genealogical accounts of Shinran's grandfather Notes 2. Shinran and Tendai Thought and Practice on Mt. Hiei A. Saicho, the founder of the Japanese Tendai School B. Saicho and the direction of his thought C. Saicho's 'convergence of time and opportunity' as historical consciousness D. Veneration of Shotoku-taishi, the "father of Japanese Buddhism" E. Shinran's life on Mt. Hiei F. Tendai practice on Mt. Hiei G. Shinran's debt to ShOtoku-taishi H. Material related to Shinran's meeting with Honen I. The two versions of the dream J. The Shinran muki and Shinran's marriage K. Honen as a Pure Land master L. Pure Land teachings on Mt. Hiei Notes 3. Shinran as Honen's Disciple A. Honen and his teachings B. Honen's estimation of Shinran C. Shinran's views of his relationship with Honen D. Shinran's studies with Honen E. Shinran's Kangyo-amidakyo- F. Shinran's attitude toward Honen G. Shinran and Honen's other disciples H. Controversy over nembutsu practice among Honen's disciples I. Shinran's views on nembutsu practice J. Government suppression of Honen and his followers K. Reasons for the suppression of the Pure Land movement L. Exile and Shinran's changing attitude toward his society Notes 4. Shinran's Exile and its Influence upon his Thought A. The exile B. Site of exile C. The people of Echigo D. Shinran's marriage to Eshinni E. Shinran's family F. The development of Shinran's thought from negation to affirmation G. 'Shukugo'as karma-controlled human destiny H. Akunin shoki: "If a good person can attain salvation, how much more so a wicked person!" Notes 5. Shinran's Movement as Buddhist Reformation A. The significance of a new religious salvation in the Kamakura period B. A Buddhism relevant to people and period C. Shinran's Faith: the "Inevitability of the Dharma as it is" 120 Notes Conclusion Notes Epilogue Notes Glossary 1. General A B C D E F G H I J K M N O R S T U W Y Z 2. Names of persons A B C D E F G H I J K M N O P R S T U V W Y Z 3. Buddhist text with Japanese equivalents Bibliography Appendix An Annotated Chronological Table of Shinran's Life 183 Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y Z