Shin Buddhism in Modern Culture

Chapter 20 – The Ultimate End of Faith (Part 2)

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Kosho Yamamoto, the Shinshuist of modern ages has brought about the so-called teaching of shinzoku-nitai, or “Two Truths of True and Secular,” for the purpose of:
- clarifying the relationship between “religion” and “morality”
- showing that there is no relationship between religious truth and morality
- demonstrating that link between morality and good citizenship
2. For Shinran, the salvation of all beings could only be attained by:
- pitying and caring for beings
- reciting sutras that would generate enough merit to save all beings
- saying the Name and quickly attaining Buddhahood
3. How does Shinran’s thought set the direction for ethical action? By:
- encouraging us to “think big” in bringing about social change
- providing a realistic assessment of the possibilities of human effort in a world such as ours
- instructing us that no such actions are possible since everything is ego-motivated
4. In Chapter V, “Tannisho,” Shinran states that he has “never invoked the Nembutsu even once in the feeling of filial piety for my (his) parents.” What is Shinran actually saying? That:
- family is not important
- filial piety is a delusion
- there is nothing special about his parents over against all other beings

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Thought Questions

1. What is your understanding of the relationship between religion and morality?

2. The author thinks that Shinran’s religious perspective can be an important resource in dealing with contemporary ethical/moral issues. Find an issue that concerns you and try to apply Shinran’s perspective to it. What do you find? What problems do you encounter?

3. Today, as in the past, there are people who are attempting to bring about social change. While Shinran’s stance toward society was not one of acquiescence to the status quo, he did urge his followers to constantly question their own motivations for such action and to be sensitive to their actions and the social implications they might have. How can such an approach benefit us today?