As expressed in this passage, the essence of “‘merittransference’ in the ‘aspect of returning (from the Pure Land)’” is being born in the Pure Land and then returning to this shabaworld (world of delusion in which we must put up with all sorts of suffering) where we can benefit all sentient beings through divine power.

Following the above passage in “Essence of the ‘Hymn of Truth Faith’” is the following:

What the passage “... Without fail they reach the land of immeasurable light/And universally guide sentient beings to enlightenment” means is that when the Venerable Master Shinran speaks of Amida’s True Land, he means: “The Buddha is ‘marvelously mysterious’ (fushigi) light, itself, and his land is the land of ‘immeasurable’ (muryo) light.” And once we reach that land, we immediately return to this “defiled world” (edo) where we set about transforming the sentient beings here.

As indicated by the passage, “And once we reach that land, we immediately return to this ‘defiled world’ where we set about transforming the sentient beings here,” Master Rennyo does discuss “merit transference in the aspect of returning.”

As we can see from the above passages, Master Rennyo clearly discussed “merit-transference in the aspect of returning (from the Pure Land).” That is why I cannot help but feel that those who make statements such as the following have absolutely no foundation on which to base assertions such as: “Master Rennyo emphasized ‘this matter of greatest importance in the next life,’ which is tantamount to emphasizing only the ‘merittransference in the aspect of going’ of ‘birth in the Pure Land’ (ojo), and completely ignores the ‘merit-transference in the aspect of returning’ which is the aspect of ‘saving’ others.” This is a completely mistaken point of view.

“Aspect of Returning” After Receiving Shinjin. Another big mistake is that:

• Although the Venerable Master Shinran emphasized the “aspect of returning (from the Pure Land)” and was not afraid of criticizing governmental authority,
• Master Rennyo emphasized the “aspect of going (to the Pure Land)” and did not speak of the “aspect of returning” which has as its goal helping others.

In the Chapter on Attainment of his “Teaching, Practice, Faith and Attainment,” the Venerable Master Shinran wrote the following about “merit transference in the aspect of returning (from the Pure Land)”:

“Returning (from the Pure Land)” means that after being born in that land, receiving tranquility, concentration and right views, and gaining the power of compassionate means, we return and enter the thick forests of birth-and-death, teach and guide all sentient beings, and bring together all to follow the way of the Buddha.