Professor Eiken Kobai - an Accurate Teacher of Shin Buddhism
I’ve looked at a lot of what’s available on the net, and given the name “Shin Buddhism” or “Jodo Shinshu”.
The very best resource I have found is a Professor in Japan named Eiken Kobai. You can access his teaching from the link in the “resources” section of links.
Here’s his brief bio from his website:
Eiken Kobai was born in 1941, the first son of Seiyo Kobai, the 16th-generation resident minister of Unsai Temple in the city of Ochiai, Oita Prefecture, Japan.
He graduated from Ryukoku University’ s Doctoral Program in Shinshu Studies in 1969 and from the Shugaku Institute, a postgraduate school maintainedby the Hompa Hongwanji, in 1971.
He received a grant to study at Kyoto University from1971 to 1973.
After a period as research associate at the Dendo Institute (now Kyogaku Kenkyusho), he is presently Professor of Shinshu Studies at Soai Women’ s College in the city of Osaka.
Professor Kobai is an ordained minister in the Hompa Hongwanji and a shikyo within that organization’s scholarly ranking system, the highest rank that can be earned.
Why do I say Professor Kobai is an ACCURATE teacher of Shin Buddhism? Because he doesn’t stick his own egotistical thoughts and opinions in between Shinran and me. He let’s Shinran speak in his own voice - a voice that carried on teaching the Easy Path to Buddhahood for 60 years.
Kobai lets Shinran be the plumbline - and that’s the way it has to be in order to transmit this teaching properly.
Why is that? Because transmission depends upon listenly deeply: hearing and understanding accurate, linear left-brained content, and opening our hearts to right-brained non-linear feelings that will arise naturally if we continue to listen.
In that way the Infinite Light and Life of Amida Buddha penetrate entirely the darkness of our as yet unenlightened hearts and minds.
That’s the ONLY way Shin Ugly - Shinran’s simple message of salvation for all through Amida’s Primal Vow - the end of suffering at last through Amida’s Primal Vow - Buddhahood at last through Amida’s Primal Vow - can be understood and responded to by plain people like me - and maybe like you, too.
Thanks, Professor Kobai - and happy 60th birthday to you!