Shin Aphorism (4)
Zuiken's Sayings

Translated by Zuio H. Inagaki

"How to leave Samsara?"

Jodoshinshu, the supreme Mahayana teaching based on the Primal Vow, enables us to abandon the human good 'mixed with poison' and reach the Tathagata's highest good. From another viewpoint, it is by the working of the Great Compassion originating from the Primal Vow, the ocean-like Great Vow of Wisdom of the supreme Mahayana Path, that we are delivered from the suffering in hell which may be awaiting us. In these two aspects, Jodoshinshu provides us with the 'true benefit.'
Despite the fact that this supreme and beneficial teaching is readily available, many people think nothing of the suffering of transmigration in the six realms and do not seek to escape from the danger of falling into a pit of raging fire. They do not listen to the teaching of the Primal Vow, taking no delight in reaching the exquisite realm of Ultimate Nirvana (i.e., the Pure Land) and saving all sentient beings with the Primal Vow-Power.
Alas, "how difficult it is to abhor birth-and-death; how difficult it is to seek the Buddha Dharma?" (Shan-tao).
Only those who look up to the Tathagata's merit and virtue in the working of the Primal Vow-Power and aspire for the capital of Nirvana are reflective of their defiled good and entrust themselves to Amida's Vow and Power. However hard you may try to multiply your defiled good, you will not be able to reach the Tathagata's merit and virtue. The Buddha Dharma provides you with the way of attaining the Tathagata's good, namely, the "White Path" of the Primal Vow.

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