hasunoha

Is the Heart Sutra meaningless in the Jodo Shinshu sect?

It was only recently that I became interested in Buddhism.

There was such a painful event, and when I almost became depressed, I happened to watch a program explaining the Heart Sutra on TV, and my heart felt so much lighter.

By the way, my family is a member of the Jodo Shinshu sect, and I was taken aback when I heard that the Heart Sutra should not be recited in the Jodo Shinshu sect. For me, who was saved by the teachings of the Heart Sutra, I don't feel refreshed...

In fact, I'd like to ask the monks of the Jodo Shinshu sect what they think about the Heart Sutra.

4 Zen Responses

The foundation of the Jodo Shinshu is the Jodo Sanbu Sutra.

Thank you for your question about the “Heart Sutra” and the Jodo Shinshu sect, Mr. Hokutosei.

The “Heart Sutra” is a precious sutra that conveys the essence of Buddhism in short sutras
That's it.
In that sense, this sutra is recited in many denominations.
I don't know the details, but sects other than the Jodo Shinshu recite this sutra
I think it might.

For the North Dipper, who feels saved by the “Heart Sutra,” this sutra
Being told from the standpoint of Shinshu that you must not recite is because you have to be refreshed
I don't think it's impossible to feel it.

The Jodo Shinshu sect uses the scripture of Masayori (Yorokoro) as the Jodo Sanbu Sutra.
Other than the Jodo Sanbu Sutra, it is called “Shoshinbyo” and the Seven High Priests made by Shinran Shonin
I also read people's Chinese words and recite them.

From here on, I'm going to write with my personal opinion to some extent, so be aware
that's bad.

The fact that the Jodo Shinshu believes in Amitabha's wish to save sentient beings
It's fundamental.
That wish is called Hongan, and believing in the petition means Shinran Shonin
The Seven High Priests showed it to me earlier, and among them, there are others than believing in the original wish
I was chosen and told that there is no way to be saved
It means that he is Shinran Shonin.
It is also difficult for us to read many scriptures, and we live by which sutras
It's not easy to choose whether to do it.

It's not that the “Heart Sutra” is good or bad,
What is a way to be as a disciple of the Shinshu sect other than the path of believing in the original intention
I think it's an admonition from the idea of not doing it.

It is not recognized as a sutra to be recited in front of the principal image,
The content is important in Buddhism.

Which is correct in that sense, learning the Heart Sutra or studying Shinshu
It doesn't mean that either one is wrong.

The Heart Sutra contains Buddhist ideals,
Unfortunately for me, an ordinary man covered in worries, I can't live up to my ideals.
It was because of Amida's original wish that I was saved.

If you think that way, I think you'll understand.

Let me add one thing: the original wish is Amida's oath
Since then, we have already been saved by Amida's wishes
Add that the idea is that I believe in that kind of thing
I'm coming.

The vector you are heading towards is different

My name is Kameyama Junshi. I am a monk of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji school.

In Buddhism, which is called the Eighty-Four Thousand Dharma, the Jodo Shinshu is the teaching of the Jodo Gate. On the other hand, the teachings of sects other than Buddhism in the Pure Land system are called Seidomon. The teachings described in the Heart Sutra are the teachings of Seidomon. If I were to explain the difference between Jodo Gate and Seidomon in my own way, I think Jodomon is “a teaching where the Buddha comes to me,” and Seidomon would be “a teaching that I go towards the Buddha.” The direction is different, so the Heart Sutra cannot be sung in the Jodo Shinshu sect.

However, even though the vectors are different, their ultimate purpose is for me to become a Buddha. So, in terms of Buddhist beliefs, if you think I'm headed for the Buddha (from the standpoint of the Jodo Gate), you may notice that the Buddha actually approached me. The Heart Sutra is not sung in the Jodo Shinshu sect, but I hope you will notice the splendor of the teachings of the Jodo Gate through your contact with the teachings of the Heart Sutra (Seidomon).

Postscript:
At university (majoring in Buddhist studies), I chose “Middle Theory” by Bosatsu Dragon Tree, which explained the idea of emptiness described in the Heart Sutra, as my graduation thesis theme. The idea of emptiness is the foundation of Mahayana Buddhism. The idea of emptiness is also reflected in the Jodomon Gate. For example, “The World in the Sky - From Dragon Tree to Shinran” by Yamaguchi Masu (the first edition is 1967) describes the connection between sky thought and pure land thought.

The Heart Sutra is unnecessary in the Jodo Shinshu sect.

If you compare the sutras to manual rules, would the Heart Sutra be like a rule book for a different competition?

The Jodo Shinshu doesn't use the Heart Sutra, but knowing it will help you understand the Jodo Shinshu from a different perspective. It's by no means pointless.

The teachings of the Heart Sutra are teachings that can be said to be the foundation of Buddhism.

Nothing is wasted.
There are many Heart Sutras, and one of them is the Heart Sutra.
Hannya is wisdom, and it is a sutra that explains the wisdom of the Buddha.
That's why it's a very precious sutra.
“Sky” is explained in the Heart Sutra.
It is an auspicious theory in Mahayana Buddhism, and I think it can also be said that it is a sutra like a paper summarized in a concise manner.

However, I don't read the Heart Sutra for two main reasons.
※I read and study individually.

① [Amida Nyorai doesn't appear]
Since Jodo Shinshu is a so-called monotheistic religion that believes only Amida Nyorai, sutras without Amida Nyorai are not recited in front of a Buddhist altar.

② [The content is very difficult]
The Prajna Sutra is a very difficult type of sutra. If it's hard to understand, it's still hard to put it into practice.
Since Jodo Shinshu is a religion left to the power of Amitabha Nyorai, I don't think it is necessary to read, understand, and practice difficult sutras.

The Indian monk named Dragon Tree Bosatsu who preached the Heart Sutra is one of the seven mentors named Shinran Shonin.
Dragon Tree Bosatsu's achievements are huge, and even in the Jodo Shinshu sect, they read other sutras where Dragon Tree Bosatsu was preached.
I'm not saying that Dragon Tree Bosatsu or the Heart Sutra are bad.

If you don't mind, please tell me what teachings of the Heart Sutra have saved you.
I want to learn too.