Shin Buddhism in Modern Culture

Chapter 15 – Assurance of Fulfillment

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Multiple Choice Questions

  • 1. Traditionally, in what stage of the Bodhisattva path did one enter the company of the truly assured?
  • 2. Shinran brought the Pure Land even closer to the lives of ordinary people by teaching that:
  • 3. Which of the following refers to the “diamond-like shinjin” of which Shinran spoke?
  • 4. Which of the following best describes the Indian idea of death-threshold karma?
  • 5. Shinran challenged the traditional Indian-Buddhist attitude toward the final moment of life by:
  • 6. Which of the following statements regarding reform religion is NOT true? It:
  • 7. In Shinran’s thought, divination, magic, and astrology have no place because:
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Thought Questions

1. For many people the assurance of destiny — that is, where they will go after death — is of great concern. Traditionally, one of the roles of religion has been to alleviate this feeling of uncertainty and the fear associated with it. In light of what you have read in this chapter, do you think Shinran’s approach to the problem can be related to the concerns over death that people today hold? Give some specific examples possibly from your own life.

2. Compare Shinran’s view of the last moments of life to that of Honen. How are the two views similar? How are they different?

3. For Shinran, religion was not a tool for securing life. Explain the meaning of this statement.

4. Comment on your understanding of what Shinran calls the “diamond-like shinjin.”