Again, where it states, “rely completely on,” he is urging us to accept the explanations of Amida Buddha’s Primal Vow by the “Seven Eminent Scholar/Monks.” Like Shakyamuni Buddha, they also urge acceptance of Amida Buddha’s Primal Vow.

As already mentioned, the “Hymn of True Faith” summarizes the Venerable Master Shinran’s major work, “Teaching, Practice, Faith and Attainment.” And what the Venerable Master urges on us in that entire work is acceptance of Amida Buddha’s Primal Vow. I believe what the Venerable Master Shinran wanted for us is “settled shinjin” and being part of the “group of those assured (of birth in the Pure Land) in the present life.” And it was Master Rennyo who correctly transmitted that intent to us.

In Letter 10 of Fascle V previously quoted, Master Rennyo says that what the Venerable Master urged was “shinjin is fundamental” (shinjin ihon):

What is taught by the Venerable Master Shinran and in his school is that shinjin is fundamental.

Again, as expressed in Letter 15 of Fascle Four, what “settling of shinjin” means is to be in accord with Amida Buddha’s Primal Vow:

Therefore, if everyone—whether they are of noble or humble birth, monk or lay—is brought to a definite “settling of shinjin” that is firm and diamond-like, this would truly be in accord with the Primal Vow of Amida Tathagata and in conformity with the fundamental intent of the Venerable Master (Shinran).

And again, in Letter 3, Fascle Two, Master Rennyo wrote:

...the essential point transmitted by the founding Master of our school (the Venerable Master Shinran) is but one thing: shinjin. Not knowing this is what distinguishes other schools from our school; knowing it is the mark of those who participate in the “true teaching” (shinshu).

As indicated above, the Venerable Master Shinran stated that shinjin—which is acceptance of Amida Buddha’s Primal Vow to cause our birth in the Pure Land—is what is most important. Those who are not aware of this cannot be considered followers of the Jodo-Shinshu teaching.

The person who correctly accepted this teaching by the Venerable Master Shinran and who spread it widely throughout Japan was Master Rennyo. Thus to say that Master Rennyo distorted the Venerable Master Shinran’s teaching is an absurdity. As I have repeated time and time again, what it means to have “settled shinjin” is conviction that our birth in the Pure Land is already determined, and that we are part of the “group of those assured (of birth in the Pure Land) in our present life.”