I cannot agree with such criticisms of Master Rennyo.

Although, as just indicated, Master Rennyo expressed the principle of “‘king’s law’ is primary” in several places, in Article 157 of “Heard and Recorded During Rennyo Shonin’s Lifetime,” he expressed the “‘Buddha’s law’ is primary” point of view as being, “Make Buddha-dharma the master and worldly matters the guest.”

Further, just half a month before leaving this world, on the 9th day of the 3rd month during the 8th year of Meio (1499 AD), Master Rennyo said the following to his five sons, Jitsunyo, Renko, Rensei, Renjun and Rengo (it is recorded in “Items Agreed Among Brothers” (Kyodaichu Shinjojojo)):

The Buddha is, of course, central in our teaching. The purpose of following the “king’s law” in the secular world is to allow the “Buddha’s Law” to be primary. Unfortunately, many people make the “Buddha’s Law” secondary and the “King’s Law” primary. This should not be allowed.

Because it was so close to the end of his life, this can be considered Master Rennyo’s last words to his children, and his true intent regarding the “Buddha’s law” and the “king’s law.” As he indicated, “ The purpose of following the ‘king’s law’ in the secular world is to allow the ‘Buddha’s law’ to be primary.” Saying the “‘king’s law’ is primary” is only a means to establish the primacy of “Buddha’s Law.” In other words, his purpose was to establish Buddha-dharma as the central focus of our lives.