II. SYSTEMATISATION.

BUDDHISM is a most complex system of religion, and its founder, Shakyamuni, taught his followers in various ways according to their different abilities, characters, and dispositions; the Buddha opened many a gate of entrance for his disciples, and of these we now distinguish generally two main entrances or pathways

to salvation. One of them is the way directly leading to the truth of salvation whereby one can escape from a world of suffering; while the other is a provisionary way which will prepare one to enter finally upon the path of truth. It is necessary for students of Buddhism to keep this distinction in mind. Let us now see what an insight Shinran Shonin had into the essential truth of Buddhism, according to what it taught in the above-mentioned three sutras and by those seven great predecessors of his.

Buddhism divides itself into two principal schools, the Lesser and the Greater Vehicle; the former is for the Shravakas and Pratyeka-buddhas, who are satisfied with a comparatively inferior attainment, while the Greater Vehicle teaches the way of great enlightenment whereby is made possible the attainment of Buddhahood. Therefore, the doctrine of the Greater Vehicle must be regarded as

superior to that of the Lesser Vehicle. But in the former we again distinguish what is called the "Path for the Wise" (shodomon) from that of "Pure Land" (jodomon). The "Path for the Wise" is one that will lead a Buddhist to sagehood while on earth, by uprooting the passions and disciplining himself in all virtues; whereas the "Path of Pure Land" teaches us to attain to Buddhahood by being born in the Pure Land of Amida. The "Path for the Wise" requires one to gain enlightenment through one's own efforts, and its prescribed discipline is naturally beset with difficulties. Therefore, it is properly called the "jiriki-kyo" or the doctrine of self-salvation, by which it is meant that one can be saved by one's own efforts; or the "nangyo-do," which is to say, the way difficult to practise.

The "Path of Pure Land," on the other hand, teaches the possibility of attaining enlightenment through a power