We have traveled so far from India to China. The destination of our Mahayana and Pure Land Buddhist ship is Japan. We will meet the Chinese Pure Land Masters of Daocho and Shan-tao, and Japanese Masters of Genshin and Genku (a.k.a. Honen). The time starts in 552 in China, which signifies the beginning of the Last-Dharma Age. After the demise of Buddha Shakyamuni, it was nearly 1,000 years passed at that time. There were many Buddhist scriptures and sutras available to read and learn, and some are able to do difficult Buddhist practices, however so few were able to get enlightened in this world, that is the characteristic of the Buddhist Last-Dharma Age.

If we cannot reach the realm of enlightenment with the human efforts, we needed to rely on something coming from outside of us. That was the Amida Buddha’s efficacy of vows. Shinran was deeply touched with the Amida’s soteriological working extended to every human being without anybody singled out. It is non-conditional deep compassion to human beings, to make sure we all join the same Nembutsu journey in this life, which will ultimatly lead us to the supereme nirvana after this life.

This course talks about Daocho, Shan-tao, and Honen who are the experts of Nembutsu – how to live everyday life with hearing, receiving, and reciting Amida’s Name, Namo Amida Butsu. We will hear how Shinran appreciated and shared it with others.

This topic will be explored in more detail along the EVERYDAY BUDDHIST Course Pathway with our upcoming course offering titled Living | Buddhist Masters from China to Japan. For this and our entire course offering you can subscribe for $10/month or save $25 with an annual subscription of just $95/year for unlimited access to all new courses and content.