In this podcast we begin to look more directly at the Pure Land Scriptures. In this first podcast we look at the first part of the Larger Scripture and comment on its origins, how it was transmitted to China and Japan, and some of its key features.

In this, our final episode exploring Shinran's teachings, we continue to examine the topic of jinen or naturalness.

In this episode we explore Shinran's key concept of jinen or naturalness.

In this episode we discuss Sangharakshita's views about the Pure Land perspective and also reflect on some key terms that Shinran uses.

In this episode we explore the idea of a sacred world and also bring Shinran in relation to Dōgen's teachings. We also explore the complexity of the realization of shinjin.

In this episode we finish looking at Shinran's letters and discuss his approach to scriptural analysis, particularly his tendency to rewrite scriptural passages so that they read what he intends them to read. We also explore the Pure Land lineage that Shinran created.

In this episode we look at more of Shinran's letters. We touch again on the topic of 'licensed evil' and explore various aspects of Shinran's cultural context.

In this episode we continue to look at Shinran's letters. In a wide-ranging discussion, we touch on Quakers (pronounced 'quacker' in Spanish), Calvin, Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure', shinjin, and the bodhichitta. We also reflect on why some people respond to the Dharma and others don't and then accidentally activate Dayamati's iPad. We also explore the Shin view of ethics and touch on the problems associated with 'licensed evil.'

In this episode we begin to explore Shinran's pastoral letters, notably the Mattoshō. We also reflect on the nature of theology as applied to Buddhism and consider whether Shinran's message actually means that we are already destined to be born in the Pure Land.

In this episode we reflect on Shinran and our teacher Sangharakshita and some of the parallels between them. In addition, we reflect on how remarkable it was that we ever came across Buddhism in the first place.

In this episode we reflect on Shinran's hermeneutical horizon given his time and place. He was trained as a Tendai monk and inherited the Chinese Buddhist tradition. He had not knowledge of Theravada Buddhism, for instance. This invited him to take up unique interpretive positions. We reflect on the notion of hermeneutic distance both Shinran's and ours in relation to the history of Buddhism.

In this episode we look at the final chapter of the Kyogyoshinsho and reflect on the nenbutsu and other aspects of Shinran's teaching.

In this episode we are coming towards the end of our reflections on the Kyogyoshinsho, the magnum opus of Shinran. We reflect, amongst other things, on why Shinran is found on the Triratna Refuge Tree and examine some of the distinctive aspects of Shinran's approach.

In this episode we discuss chapter 5 of Shinran's magnum opus the Kyogyoshinsho. Amongst other things we touch on the idea of knowledge as remembrance, the nature of practice in Shin Buddhism, and related topics.

In this episode we continue to explore Shinran's Kyogyoshinsho, especially chapter 4. Amongst other topics, we touch on the role of practice within Shinran's system, on the altruistic dimension, and once again on the nature of Amida. We also begin to touch on some overlaps between Shinran and Dōgen.

In this episode we explore who really is Amida? We touch on ideas such as Buddha-nature and trikaya in order to understand more fully how Shinran understands the nature of Amida in his magnum opus the Kyogyoshinsho.

In this episode, Dayamati and I continue to analyse Shinran's magnum opus, the Kyogyoshinsho. We touch on some overlaps between Heidegger's thought and Shinran and then go on to analyse the famous parable of the white path, which serves as an analogy for the Pure Land way.

In this episode Dayamati and I discuss chapter three of the Kyogyoshinsho which focuses on Shinran's key concept of shinjin, a term difficult to translate. We also touch on the idea of mappo (the age of degenerate Dharma) and some other key ideas.

In this episode, we continue to look at Shinran´s magnum opus, the Kyogyoshinsho, especially chapter 2. Here Dayamati and I reflect on the style of the text and how it intends to convince us of its message. We contrast the text with more familiar styles of philosophical argument.

In this podcast, I continue talking with Dayamati about the Kygyoshinsho, the magnum opus of Shinran. In this episode we range around a number of topics, including the possibility of Buddhist fundamentalism and we receive a visit from Judy, Dayamati´s wife who tells us about an image of White Tara that she rescued from  a local bazaar.

In this episode, Dayamati and I begin to explore Shinran's principal work the Kyogyoshinsho. This is the first of a series of episodes in which we talk about this work. In this first recording we focus on the first part of Chapter 2, which is called 'Practice'.

In this episode Dayamati and I explore Shinran's text Notes on the Inscriptions of Sacred Scrolls. Amongst other topics, we discuss the idea of repentance as a response to the recognition that Amida has transferred all his merits to each and every human being. We also learn how taking a boat down rapids can function as a metaphor for giving up self-power and embracing Other Power.

In this episode Dayamati and I continue to explore a series of commentaries by Shinran. This episode focuses on Notes on Once Calling and Many Calling. We talk about Shinran´s emphasis on the 'sole practice', which is the recitation of the Nembutsu: Namu Amida Butsu. While also drill deeper into what is meant by Other Power and how it transcends personal karma. Finally, there is an interesting discussion about how to make sourdough bred and how this functions as an analogy for the influence...

In this episode Dayamati and I continue to explore Shinran's Notes on the Essentials of Faith Alone. In particular, we discuss how Shinran's thought can be related to ideas about Buddha-nature, the idea that our deepest nature or essence is identical to enlightenment. Later in the recording we go on to discuss the second of our three texts, which is Notes on Once Calling and Many Calling. If you wish to comment on the podcast you can send me a voice message.

In this podcast, Dayamati and I continue discussing Shinran's text, Notes on the Essentials of Faith Alone. In this episode we explore what it means to be born in the Pure Land, the idea of an irreversible transformation, and the symbolism of Amida's light, which is wisdom and compassion.  If you wish to comment on the podcast you can send me a voice message. Dayamati is a retired professor of Sanskrit living in New Mexico.