You may not understand this yet – but in that very FIRST moment that a person so entrusts himself to Amida Buddha, he (or she) is sealed for birth in Amida’s own Pure Land at the end of this life.  And as soon as birth in the Pure Land occurs, the person IMMEDIATELY completes his (or her) journey, and becomes a True Buddha at long last.

This was the Dharma message of Master Shinran.  This was the Dharma message of his successor, Master Rennyo.  And today, there are still some who are preach and teach the very same Dharma message – some clerics, some scholars, and some lay people as well.

Eiken Kobai Sensei is one of those scholars.  He is a TRUE teacher of Shinran’s True Teaching of the Pure Land Way – the way of entrusting oneself and one’s karmic destiny ENTIRELY, without even a SHRED of doubt – to Amida Buddha and to His promise to save us from the terrible suffering that comes from continual rebirth in a non-Buddha state.

If you are hungry – yearning for enlightenment – trying to find a way to end your own sorrow and suffering – looking to become the kind of enlightened being that can lead others to the end of suffering at last – then please do read Eiken Kobai Sensei’s books.  Listen closely to him as he teaches the TRUE teaching of Master Shinran, and also as he deconstructs the FALSE teachings that have often arisen over the centuries that have confused and obscured the True Teaching needlessly.  

Why do I recommend Eiken Kobai Sensei’s English language books?  Because they are the BEST doorway I know into understanding the heart and mind of Master Shinran, and the true intent of Shakyamuni Buddha in coming into the world – and they are all available FREELY online.  

Personally, I am grateful beyond any words I could write that I found his written works online.  And I am more grateful still that we have had a profound karmic connection, and that he has  become my own Dharma mentor.  The clarity of Eiken’s writing, and his own FAITHFULNESS to our primal teacher Shinran, allowed me to find true SHINJIN when I was drowning in a pool of inexpressible sorrow.  Because of Eiken’s influence in my life, I have become established on a rock of FAITH that has never wavered through the ups and downs of daily living – and I KNOW that this is, indeed, my last life as a non-Buddha.

I commend him personally, and the words he writes, without reservation to ANYONE who aspires for enlightenment.  All you need to do is open your mind, open your heart, and listen deeply.  Amida Buddha will do the rest to bring you to a state of SALVATION IN THE PRESENT, where you know that you know that this is your last lifetime as a suffering and ignorant being – and then BUDDHAHOOD IN THE LIFE TO COME.

Gassho,

Paul Roberts

January 2008