07.29.2022 - By Hoshina Seki
Hi Dharma-friends!
In this episode, we begin the next section of the Shōzōmatsu Wasan called "Hymns in Praise of Prince Shōtoku" in eleven verses. This episode covers the first 5 Wasan in this section. Prince Shōtoku (574-622 CE) is fondly remembered in Japan as having established the imperial government on a firm footing and also for vigorously promoting Buddhism there in his lifetime. Shinran had a profound personal devotion to Prince Shōtoku. The commentary in the Collected Works of Shinran tells us, "Prince Shōtoku's importance in the Hymns of the Dharma-Ages stems from Shinran's view of him as a manifestation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara who compassionately appeared in Japan to deliver the nembutsu teaching just as the world was entering the last dharma-age." CWS, II, 100.
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Palms together, Gary