it is the principle of Mercy that alone rules and draws men. Though a man had done evil all his life, yet, .if he were once brought near to the Great Vow, he would reach the Land of Bliss and enjoy the fruits of Salvation.

93-94. Zendo [**] was the first that understood the true will of Buddha S'akyamuni in his age, [*+] and that had pity, alike for those who practised meditation or moral good, as for those who lived in wickedness.

95-100. Zendo taught that the Effect of Salvation is given by the Holy Light [*++] and the Sacred Name of Amida, and expounded the Great Ocean of Wisdom contained in the Fundamental Vow. The believer, having rightly received the adamantine heart of firm faith, and having answered to the calling of the Tathagata with a joyful heart, like Vaidehi [* section] receives the threefold assurance [***] and

immediately enters into the happiness of the Eternal Life. [**]

101-102. Genshin studied all the teachings of S'akyamuni, and earnestly aspired to go to the Buddha's Land. He exhorted all men to go there too.

103-108. Genshin [*+] established a difference between a pure and an impure Faith, the one deep and the other shallow. Also, he taught that there are two forms of Paradise (Kwedo and Hodo), as places of rest for those of deep and shallow faith respectively. O deadly sinner! Invoke but once Amida-Buddha! He is taking hold of us. Though our eyes of flesh can not clearly see him owing to our sins, yet is his mercy constantly present to illuminate our minds.

109--112. My teacher Genku [*++] threw light on Buddhism, and had deep compassion for the laity, good or bad. It was he who originated the Shinshu teachings in this country, and propagated

in this wicked world the doctrine of Amida's Selected Vow. [**]

113-116. Genku taught that the reason why men keep constantly returning to the Home of Error (bodily life), is entirely due to our being fast bound with doubt. In order that we may enter straight into the peaceful and eternal abode of Nirvana, it is necessary for us to receive the believing heart.

117-120. Thus prophets and teachers, propagating the teachings of the Sutras, have saved countless men from countless evils. Monks and laymen in the present age! We must put our hearts together, and believe the words that these exalted monks have spoken.

Footnotes

^35:* It may be well to state here that great doubts have been thrown upon the historicity of Shinran. It is maintained by some that no such person as Shinran ever existed, that, in other words, he was a mythical personage, invented by Genku's not over scrupulous disciple, Zenshin, for purposes of his own, and that no documentary proof of Shinran's existence can be advanced dating less than a century from the date of his supposed death. On this point I have reserved my judgment, and have given Shinran the benefit of the doubt.