Tanluan

Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 22)

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Wednesday, October 19, 2022

In this month’s session we will continue our study of the Chinese Pure Land Master Tanluan, whose insight that birth-and-death is itself nirvana opens the gate to realizing peace of mind for oneself, so that one can help others on their path to liberation from suffering.

When a foolish being of delusion and defilement awakens shinjin,
He realizes that birth-and-death is itself nirvana;
Without fail he reaches the land of immeasurable light
And universally guides sentient beings to enlightenment.

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Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 21)

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Wednesday, September 14, 2022

In this month’s session we will continue our study of the Chinese Pure Land Master Tanluan, whose commentary on the treatise of Bodhisattva Vasubandhu clarifies that our attainment of awakening and our guiding of others to awakening are both possible not through our own efforts, but by relying on Amida Buddha’s compassionate vow.

In his commentary on the treatise of Bodhisattva Vasubandhu,
He shows that the cause and attainment of birth in the fulfilled land lie in the Vow.
Our going and returning, directed to us by Amida, come about through Other Power;
The truly decisive cause is shinjin.

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Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 20)

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Wednesday, May 11, 2022

In this month’s session we will learn about the Chinese Pure Land Master Tanluan, who abandoned his quest for immortality after meeting the Buddhist monk Bodhiruci who introduced him to the teaching of Amida Buddha’s Pure Land.

Turning toward the dwelling of Master T’an-luan, the Emperor of Liang
Always paid homage to him as a bodhisattva.
Bodhiruci, master of the Tripitaka, gave T’an-luan the Pure Land teachings,
And T’an-luan, burning his Taoist scriptures, took refuge in the land of bliss.

Continue reading “Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 20)”

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Dharma Discussion: Suffering from Birth (September 27, 2020)

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Consider your own birth, including the following factors:

  • Your family relationships (parents, grandparents, siblings, etc.)
  • Your family’s circumstances when you were born. This could include race, ethnicity, economic status, etc.
  • Where you were born (country, city, local community, etc.)
  • Time: what were some important events in the world around you that have shaped your life since you were born.

Discussion Questions

  1. What challenges and difficulties have arisen in your life as a result of the circumstances of your birth?
  2. How did the circumstance of your birth create the conditions for you to seek the Dharma hear the Nembutsu?