Living in Nenbutsu

The Shōshinge is a gātha of particular importance from The Kyōgyōshinsō by Shinran (1173-1262). Living in Nenbutsu is a translation of, and commentary on the Shōshinge, which means Hymn on the Right Faith in Nenbutsu. In the teaching of Pure Land Buddhism, the term is usually understood as a particular ‘practice’ by virtue of which we attain birth in the Pure Land and ultimately the ‘realisation’ of Supreme Enlightenment. The Shin Buddhist notion of Nenbutsu, however, is something entirely different. In Shin Buddhism the Nenbutsu is actually seen as the working of Amida Buddha’s great love and compassion, his call to all of us sentient beings to come to him just as we are without any reservation. This new translation and commentary will explore the Shōshinge in all its depth and meaning.