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| The World of "Certainty Of Birth In The Pure Land Is Certainty of Salvation" |
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As expressed above, we are urged to join the “‘group of those assured (of birth in the Pure Land)’ in our ‘present life’” through the same “settled shinjin” expressed the “Creed” (Ryogemon), and recite the Buddha’s Name in gratitude. That is what, more than anything, Master Rennyo wanted for us—that we become persons with true and real shinjin, persons whose “karma (for being born in the Pure Land) is determined in everyday life” (heizei gojo). In other words, he wished us to be included in the “‘group of those assured (of birth in the Pure Land)’ in our ‘present life.’” As indicated above, what both the Venerable Master Shinran and Master Rennyo urged was that we become persons with “settled shinjin” and join the “‘group of those assured (of birth in the Pure Land)’ in our ‘present life’” so that we will become Buddhas in the Pure Land. Both masters are in complete agreement on this. In his “Teaching, Practice, Faith and Attainment,” the Venerable Master Shinran expressed the joy of those in the “‘group of those assured’ in our ‘present life,’” in the following words: How joyous I am! My heart and mind are rooted in the Buddha-ground of the Universal Vow, and my thoughts and feelings flow within the dharma-ocean, which is absolutely beyond logical comprehension! Profoundly aware of the Tathagata’s immense compassion, I am deeply indebted for my masters’ teaching. My joy grows ever fuller, and my gratitude and indebtedness ever heavier. As related previously, in the part of the “Hymn of True Faith” related to Queen Idaike, the Venerable Master expressed his feeling of shinjin using the term “joy” (kyoki): In accord with the one thought-moment of joy, In Letter 4 of Fascle IV, Master Rennyo wrote:
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