Why Sanbutsuge?
In our Shin Buddhist tradition, we chant the Sanbutsuge a lot … really a lot. Why is that? EVERYDAY BUDDHIST course 28-D. Chanting Sanbutsuge has an answer for you. Just released, this course will explain its meaning and hopes to impart an appreciation for its significance in our tradition.
Sanbutsuge comes to us from the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life which is our most important scriptural text and one that our founder, Shinran Shonin, esteemed above all others. It is no wonder that these verses play a significant role in our liturgy.
Shinran espoused the Larger Sutra as the true teaching of the Buddhadharma and was convinced that the historical Shakyamuni Buddha’s appearance in the world was to transmit it to the world.
“To reveal the true teaching: It is the Larger Sutra of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life. The central purport of this sutra is that Amida, by establishing the incomparable Vows, has opened wide the Dharma storehouse, and full of compassion for small, foolish beings, selects and bestows the treasure of virtues. [The sutra further reveals that] Shakyamuni appeared in this world and expounded the teachings of the way to Enlightenment, seeking to save the multitudes of living beings by blessing them with this benefit that is true and real. Thus, to teach the Tathagata’s [Amida] Primal Vow is the true intent of this sutra; the Name of the Buddha is its essence.” (Collected Works of Shinran, p.7)
“… the Larger Sutra reveals the true teaching. It is indeed the right exposition for which the Tathagata [Shakyamuni Buddha] appeared in the world, the wondrous scripture rare and most excellent, the conclusive and ultimate exposition of the One Vehicle ...” (Collected Works of Shinran, p.10)
The Larger Sutra tells the mythic story of a king who encounters a Buddha by the name of Lokesvararaja and is inspired to attain Buddhahood. This king becomes a seeker by the name of Dharmakara. In the twenty short verses of the Sanbutsuge, Dharmakara expresses his admiration for his teacher, Lokesvararaja, his aspiration to becomes a Buddha, his intention to visit all the Buddha worlds and learn from all the Buddhas as countless as the sands of the Ganges, and to create a place where everyone can attain liberation. After five kalpas (an unbelievable length of time) of seeking and learning and becoming Amida Buddha, and five more kalpas of contemplation in determining how he will liberate everyone, he ultimately succeeds.
Thus, the Sanbutsuge is the aspirational intent of Dharmakara, as he begins his journey, determined to go forth to achieve his deep wish to become a perfect seeker and learner, taking on the Bodhisattva mantel of one aspiring to save all beings, and finding a way to fulfill these deep wishes.
Chanting with this understanding of the verses from the Sanbutsuge, we become aware of Dharmakara’s hongan, or deep wish for attainment. Through Amida’s limitless wisdom and compassion, the Larger Sutra says that liberation is available for everyone. Shinran tells us that Dharmakara is the model for all of us in becoming a perfect seeker.
This topic will be explored in more detail along the EVERYDAY BUDDHIST Course Pathway with our latest course offering titled 28-D. Chanting Sanbutsuge. 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.
