I believe that since the Nembutsu we recite in our Jodo-Shinshu tradition is to express indebtedness to the dharma, we should not recite it for the purpose of receiving shinjin. But I also I believe that reciting the Nembutsu even without completely understanding the heart of gratitude will nurture us and that we will eventually come to recite it with true gratitude.

As already stated, “hearing” (chomon) is considered extremely important in Jodo Shinshu. As the Venerable Master wrote in his Jodo Wasan:

Those who pass through the fires
Of the “great thousand worlds”
To hear the sacred Name of the Buddha
Will be included in the “stage
of never falling back.”

As can be determined from this, the path to shinjin is “hearing” (chomon) and is the way to reach the “stage of never falling back” (futai), which is the same as being in the “rightly-established group (of those assured of birth in the Pure Land).”

Further, Master Rennyo is quoted in the Kikigaki (Heard and Recorded (During Master Rennyo’s Lifetime}):

Do not listen to (the teachings) of Buddha-dharma in your free time; rather, perform your worldly duties in the free time you have when not listening to the dharma.

As Master Rennyo said, we should concentrate on “listening” to the teaching, regardless of how important we may consider matters in the secular world. Further, Master Rennyo said, “If those without shinjin listen (to the dharma), it will be given to them because of the Great Compassion. Buddha-dharma (begins and) ends with ‘listening.’”

I believe that “listening” (chomon, in a broad sense, this includes studying Buddha-dharma and Jodo-Shinshu, as well as attending Jodo-Shinshu services, and in fact, everything in our life) is extremely important for shinjin. This “listening” has already been completely prepared for us by the Buddha, and is the world where absolutely nothing is required on our part.

The world of “reciting the Nembutsu in gratitude” that opens up when we accept the Primal Vow and are included in the “rightly-established group,” is the world of salvation in Jodo-Shinshu. It is the world in which we are blessed with the true benefit of “absolute salvation” in the present. I firmly believe this world will be the Light and the Strength to support all the peoples of the world.