Description

Taishō 2608

Volume 83

A Collection of Passages on the Nembutsu Chosen in the Original Vow .is the principal work of Genkū (Hōnen), the founder of the Pure Land School (Jōdo Shū) in Japan. It is regarded as the basic text of this school.

In 16 chapters it presents a systematic outline of Pure Land Buddhism, quoting in detail from the three basic sūtras of Pure Land Buddhism in Japan (Taishō 360, 365, and 366), the commentary (Taishō 1753) by Shan-dao (Jpn. Zendo) on the Amitāyurdhyāna-sūtra and many other related works. The result is a detailed exposition of the thesis that the nembutsu (recitation of the name of Amida Buddha) is the fundamental cause for rebirth in the Pure Land. In the process, however, the collection criticizes traditional Buddhist schools founded during the Nara and Heian Periods. As a result this work met with strong criticism from the traditional Buddhist schools, and many works refuting the author’s views appeared even during his lifetime. Regardless, Genku’s text proved to be the most important single literary work in the establishment of the Pure Land School as an independent school of Buddhism in Japan.

Source
Jp. Senchaku hongan nembutsu shū (選擇本願念佛集), composed by Genkū. 1 fascicle.