As I mentioned in the beginning, criticism of Master Rennyo develops from the fact that those who do so have no experience with the most important aspect of what the Venerable Master Shinran taught, namely, receiving “settled shinjin,” and joining the “group of those assured (of birth in the Pure Land),” in other words, residing in the world where we are “saved” by the Primal Vow. That is why such absurd views develop.

On the other hand, another criticism of those who accuse Master Rennyo of distorting the Venerable Master Shinran’s teaching is that they are overly concerned about the doctrinal aspects of the Venerable Master’s teaching and forget the practical application of those doctrines. I believe, however, that rather than concern about doctrine, such persons have no experience in what the Venerable Master emphasized most, namely, receiving “settled shinjin” and being in the “group of those assured (of birth in the Pure Land).”

I believe the most important thing we can do to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the passing of Master Rennyo is to correctly transmit the teaching of the Venerable Master Shinran and Master Rennyo to the next generation.