This is my first question. Thank you for your support.

I am a monk of the Jodo Shinshu sect.
People encounter religion in various relationships. I was born as the eldest son of a Jodo Shinshu temple, and from the beginning, I began to think about the teachings of the Jodo Shinshu sect as my religion. If I hadn't been born as the eldest son of a Jodo Shinshu temple, I don't know if the Jodo Shinshu would have been my religion. (Currently, I myself think that my encounter with the Jodo Shinshu sect was a happy one.)
For example, in Iwate Prefecture, where I am from, there was a children's story writer named Kenji Miyazawa, and he was born into a family of passionate followers of the Jodo Shinshu sect. However, when I met the “Hanwa Contrast Myōhō Lotus Sutra,” translated by Shimaji Daito, I became inclined to believe in the Lotus Sutra. (Note that Shimaji Daitoshi is a monk of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji school.) I don't know where and how encounters are, and religion is inherently an individual issue. Therefore, Hatake values his encounter with the Soto sect, and there is no problem at all.

Finally, as a monk of the Jodo Shinshu sect, I hope you will have the opportunity to come into contact with the teachings of the Jodo Shinshu sect as well.

I'm glad I had such a wonderful relationship that made my heart feel at ease.
Actually, if you believe in the teachings of that sect, you're already a believer, but they're looking for an even stronger connection, right?

They say they want to become followers of the Soto sect, but they visit a temple where they have been zazen or a nearby Soto sect temple, meet the chief priest, and search for places they like without being impatient. And if there's something you like, I think it's fine if you ask for it.

If you pay an annual fee (the amount varies, so it's good to ask about it roughly) in the name of Goji membership fee, or the like to that temple, they should be able to send you information about zazen sessions and sectarian publications. Depending on the temple, there are places that hold entrance ceremonies, etc. Once that is over, Hatake will join the ranks of believers.

The question is whether it is OK to decide on a religion with this kind of feeling, but there is no problem at all. Far from being a problem, I thought it was a wonderful relationship. I hope you find a good temple.

Hatake-sama

This is Kawaguchi Hidetoshi. This is my humble answer to the question.

I truly understand that Buddhist relationships and legal relationships are also related, but I believe that what is important is the awareness and responsibility to be firmly convinced and involved.

Regarding this, we have answered the following questions before.

Question “About funerals and denominations”
http://blog.livedoor.jp/hasunoha_kawaguchi/archives/1017173096.html

“... Basically, there is “freedom of religion,” so the freedom of each individual should be respected in choosing a religion or religious denomination, but I know that it is important to be aware and responsible for being firmly convinced and involved with a religion or religious denomination rather than being free about anything. In the case of Buddhism in particular, there is a strong philosophical aspect of practical thought. I believe we should never have blind or blind faith. In order to thoroughly learn and practice Shakyamuni's numerous teachings of good, clever, and convenient, I think it would not be good if we could start by outlining the teachings of Buddhism as a whole, basic laws, and basic doctrines of each religious denomination, etc., and then gradually decide from that. Also, if you want to learn other doctrines from among them, I think that's fine at all. ・・”

Another thing is that there is also the issue of “convenience” no matter what. Regarding convenience, please refer to the following questions recently.

Question “Are Buddha's teachings difficult to convey?”
http://blog.livedoor.jp/hasunoha_kawaguchi/archives/1022839055.html

In teaching, it is natural that there are things that are accepted and things that are not, and I think this will also change in terms of one's understanding, roots, state of ability, status, resources, etc.

Actually, in fact, there are times when things that were not accepted before, are being quickly accepted recently.

Therefore, by all means, I hope you can learn and practice a wide range of Buddhism without being particular about a specific religious denomination. Let's work hard together.

Kawaguchi Hidetoshi Gassho

a heretic of the Cao dynasty? My name is Tange.
It's not well known even in the Soto sect, and recently it hasn't been mentioned much, but Dogen Zenji doesn't strongly advocate his own sect as the Soto sect or the Soto sect.
I think the Osho of Soto Sect temples probably doesn't have much awareness that they are a sect called the Soto sect.
It was a person called Dogen Zenji who preached the teaching that everyone can be saved regardless of religious denomination.
It is a person who aimed to be a denomination without such a denomination.
The clouds that float around the world don't have labels such as Soto Sect or Jodo Shinshu.
As you deepen your zazen meditation, you can see that there is no label anywhere on this mind and body that it is the Soto sect or the Jodo Shinshu sect. Please feel that “origin” and “origin” firsthand.
Become your true self. That is what it means to become a believer in the true sense of the word.
Becoming a temple parishioner does not mean becoming a believer.
No matter what denomination you are, truly, it means believing, believing (believing), and being saved.
Therefore, I am not a believer in the Soto sect.
He is a person who was able to know himself, be able to believe in himself, and gained peace of mind through the teachings of Dogen Zenji.
Becoming a follower of the Soto sect does not mean belonging to a sect or organization called the Soto sect.
It's fine if you stay in the Jodo Shinshu sect.
You can also do zazen meditation. Even nembutsu is fine. Please feel within yourself the ❝ origin ❞ that transcends the small separation of the Soto sect and the Jodo Shinshu sect.
Please reread it carefully so that there are no misunderstandings.