New Way Of Approach In Buddhist Studies

Author(s): Hajime Nakamura
Publisher: Hajime Nakamura

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RELIGIOUS STUDIES IN JAPAN
A saying of Honen's goes like: "Even a bad man will be received in Buddha's Land, but how much more a good man!" Shinran turned this to the reverse "Even a good man will be received in Buddha's Land, but how much more a bad man!" To elaborate on this, a good man may be able to save himself by his own merit. But it is no to be expected that a bad man can save himself by his own merit; he needs the grace of the Buddha. He has no other means. Now even a good man who does not necessarily need grace can be saved; how much more a bad man who cannot be saved otherwise than by grace. The sinner has only to believe in the Grace of Amitabha, and the Pure realm would be his. Here faith became the sole requisite to salvation; all of the other Buddhist moral-philosophy was swept away.
IV. The Attitude of Compassion
True wisdom consists, not in metaphysical sophistication, but only in practical knowledge, and its fundamental principle should be the attitude of compassion. This attitude of compassion or benevolence should be taken as the fundamental principle in our social life. Compassion or love to one's neighbors is very highly esteemed. Compassion or love is expressed by the Sanskrit word "maitri" or the Pali word "metta", which are both derivatives from "mitra" (friend). So, both words literally mean "true friendliness". If we allow the virtue of compassion to grow in us, it will not occur to us to harm anyone else, any more than we would willingly harm ourselves. In this way we diminish our sentiment and love of self by widening the boundaries of what we regard as ours. It is by inviting everyone's self to enter our own personality, that we break down the barriers which separate us from others. There is a saying that goes, "As a mother even at the risk of her own life watches over her own child, so let everyone cultivate a boundless love towards all beings. Let him cultivate towards the whole world-above, below, around-a heart of love unstinted, unmixed with the sense of differing or opposing interests. Let a man maintain this mindfulness all the while he is awake, whether he be standing, walking, sitting, or lying down. This state of heart is the best in the world". (Suttanipata, No. 8) Even enemies should be loved. Sariputta, a disciple of the Buddha said:
"Love should be felt for one's own kin,
And so for enemies too, and the whole wide world
Should be pervaded with a heart to love
This is the teaching of all the Buddhas. "(Milindapanha, p. 394)