Shin Buddhism in Modern Culture

Chapter 16 – The Expression of Faith: Joy and Gratitude

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following word pairs best describes the nature of religious existence in its deepest sense?
- satisfaction/contentment
- happiness/peace of mind
- transformation/joy
2. Which of the following statements does NOT describe what “joy” is in the religious sense of the word?
- happiness in the absence of problems
- the perception of truth within the experience of ambiguity and doubt
- a quality that arises within the sufferings and problems of life
3. Shinran uses the word “shingyo” to indicate the simultaneous relationship between:
- happiness and peace of mind
- sincerity and gratitude
- faith and joy
4. Which of the following statements best describes Shinran’s perception of joy? It:
- increases as a person strives for perfection
- exists despite the imperfection one finds in oneself
- is a result of the solving of everyday problems
5. In which of the following is the foundation of Shin Buddhist ethical existence grounded?
- a strict code of ethics and morals
- reward for the performance of good deeds
- gratitude for Amida’s compassion
6. At one point Shinran declared that the work of Amida was done for himself alone. In making such a declaration Shinran was:
- showing us his arrogance and pride
- indicating the acute sense of personal identity in Amida’s embrace
- demonstrating his self-centeredness
7. Which of the following statements regarding Shinran’s ethical orientation is TRUE?
- positive attitudes arise from a person’s sense of gratitude toward Amida
- clear definitions of right and wrong are necessary for a religious life
- because humans are essentially evil in nature, bad acts should be tolerated
8. Although the Buddhist tradition has a long history of attempts to purify passions and meditate on the Void, Shinran perceived that this was not the true way because:
- this type of practice required too much of a commitment
- passions can never be purified and the Void never experienced
- any attempt to obliterate the ego results is a strengthening of it
9.

Submit

Thought Questions

1. In Jodo Shinshu what is the connection between faith, joy, and gratitude?

2. What is the difference between “happiness” in the modern sense of the word and “joy” in the religious sense?

3. In expressing the joy he experienced, Shinran wrote: “As my joy increases my feeling of indebtedness grows deeper.” To whom did Shinran feel indebted? And why? What effect do you think this feeling of indebtedness had on Shinran’s relationship with others?

4. The author notes that the institutions of Shin Buddhism rarely provide ways to express joy, gratitude, and the affirmation of life, either in worship or in forms of social community. Do you agree? Disagree? What has been your own experience in regard to this? What means do you think the institutions (temples) could provide for the creative and spontaneous expression of such joy and gratitude?

5. For the ordinary person religion is frequently thought of as being strictly moralistic — that is, it encourages the performance of good deeds and the avoidance of bad ones in order to attain salvation. Shinran’s view of religion was very different. How was his approach different?

6. How can the Shin Buddhist ethic of transformation as described by Yuienbo be applied to the psychological problems faced by people today?