Dr. Nanjo in his Short History of the Twelve Buddhist Sects, page 128, defines Zokutai as being equivalent to the Sanskrit Samvritisatya, or "truth by general consent." It is, he says, that "part of the doctrine of this sect, which has reference to the distinction of good and evil in conduct in this world."

"Those who belong to this sect are recommended to keep to their occupation properly, and to discharge their duty, so as to be able to live in harmony. They should also cultivate their persons and regulate their families. They should keep order and obey the laws of the government, and do their best for the sake of the country. Buddha says in the Great Sutra, (i.e. the Larger Sukhavati Vyuha): "you should separate yourselves from all evil, and select and practise what is good, thinking and considering well:"

Shintai Dr. Nanjo defines as Paramartha satya "true truth." The term "refers to the distinction between belief and doubt in the mind." By putting their belief in Buddha Amitabha, the faithful become members of the Shojoju (Skt. Samyaktva ras'i) or "mass of absolute truth,"--a term which may be considered as being analogous o the Communion of Saints in certain of its aspects, or to what some Roman Catholic Theologians would call the "Soul of the Church."

Shojoju represents that to "that class of beings who will certainly be born in the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha, and attain to Nirvana there in the next life. They are taken hold of within the light of Amitabha Buddha, joyful in heart, practising always the great compassion of Buddha, and suffer transmigration no more. Therefore they are called Avaivartikas (Jap. Futaiten), or 'those who never return again.' They derive this benefit at the moment of their putting faith in Buddha."

By Nirvana is meant "the state of enlightenment of Amitabha Buddha." In other sects, it is held that the soul, after reaching Paradise, must still, in that Paradise, practise good works for a long time, before reaching to that state of light. But the Shinshu have a phrase ojo-sokujobutsu which means that the state of ojo, 'going to be born in the Land of Bliss,' is itself to become Buddha. This implies that at the moment of death, the perfection of the Believer is accomplished.

As for the Zokutai, in other sects it is used as a means of working out salvation. In the Shinshu it is merely the expression of gratitude for a salvation already received.

Footnotes

^65:* In Shinshu books, Shinran's wife is always spoken of as Tama no Miya, "Princess Burning-Crystal."