Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode, we begin the next section of the Shōzōmatsu Wasan called "Hymns in Praise of Prince Shōtoku" in eleven verses.  This episode covers the first 5 Wasan in this section.  Prince Shōtoku (574-622 CE) is fondly remembered in Japan as having established the imperial government on a firm footing and also for vigorously promoting Buddhism there in his lifetime.  Shinran had a profound personal devotion to Prince Shōtoku.  The commentary in the Collected Works of Shinran tells us, "Prince Shōtoku's importance in the Hymns of the Dharma-Ages stems from Shinran's view of him as a manifestation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara who compassionately appeared in Japan to deliver the nembutsu teaching just as the world was entering the last dharma-age." CWS, II, 100. I hope you have been enjoying the Wasan readings.  Please check out ambuddhist.org for more great Dharma content. Palms together, Gary