Shin Buddhism in Modern Culture

Chapter 14 – Faith and Practice: Shinran’s Perspective

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following statements best describes the ideal relationship between religion and human life? That religion is:
- needed in human life, especially by adolescents who often get into trouble
- an ongoing process of spiritual growth and development
- a fixed view attained at some point in human life
2. The three Vows that were fused to provide the basis for popular Pure Land Practice are the:
- 18th, 19th, and 20th Vows
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vows
- 41st, 42nd, and 43rd Vows
3. In China, Pure Land teaching was mostly regarded as a hoben. This means that it was looked upon as a teaching:
- attainable only by the scholars and priests
- that required rigorous practice
- device for the suffering masses
4. For Shinran, the Pure Land teaching was the highest teaching because it:
- represented the expression of the true mind of Amida Buddha
- was an easy form of practice
- it could be applied to the degenerated last age
5. When Shinran described his process of going through the three Vows, he implied that:
- all individuals must undergo the same process
- people must simply believe in what he taught
- people must look into the very depths of their own being
6. Which of the following best describes Shinran’s interpretation of the 18th Vow?
- the utterance of the Name is always accompanied by true Faith
- salvation depends upon spiritual and intellectual ability
- According to Shinran, awareness of evils, imperfections and shortcomings are viewed as:True Faith is attained through the endowment of the Tathagata’s power
7. According to Shinran, awareness of evils, imperfections and shortcomings are viewed as:
- part of the higher process of Amida’s salvation
- obstructions to the attainment of True Faith
- acts of self-power that prevent one from participating in a joyful religious life
8. The psychological importance that Shinran’s view of the three Vows has in modern society is that it:
- leads to self-perfection and further striving
- leads to self-acceptance in light of the ongoing process of cosmic growth
- helps people repress their guilt feelings, allowing them to concentrate on their good points

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Thought Questions

1. When a person stops seeking the truth, his understanding of religion often becomes fixed, stagnant, even somewhat arrogant. This is particularly the case if that person thinks he or she has attained salvation. In light of this, what can you say about the truly religious life? About the quest for truth?

2. Why is Shinran’s understanding of the vows given in the “Larger Pure Land Sutra” unique? What makes his interpretation so distinctive?

3. What influence did Tendai thought have on Shinran’s understanding of Amida Buddha and his Vows?

4. The author says that saints and sages are only a matter of the past for many people today. Do you agree? Why or why not?

5. In your own words, try to describe Shinran’s understanding and experience of the process of turning through the three vows (sangantennyu).

6. What significance does Shinran’s awareness of religious consciousness have for contemporary life?

7. Can you identify the characteristics of modern life suggested by the text in your own experience and observations? If so, how do you think Shinran’s teaching can alleviate or resolve those issues?