others who grew more attached to the master, because he was revealed to them in a vision as an incarnation of Amida. It is not, therefore, difficult for one to realise even in these remote days with what veneration he was regarded by these people; indeed, who could refrain from revering him as a Buddha? In spite of these facts, the Shonin refused to regard these devoted followers of his as disciples, but considered them as his best friends embracing the same faith, or as his younger brothers growing under the guidance of the one spiritual father. He respected and loved every one of them as such, declaring: "I, Shinran, have no disciples in faith." It is evident then that the master entertained no thought of styling himself as a religious leader or teacher, he only regarded himself as a blessed child living in the all-embracing love of Amida.

In his old age, he wrote many books,

in which he praised the love and virtue of the Buddha, confessed his faith, and propounded the principles of the True Sect of Pure Land; and it is through these writings that we have now access to the inner life of our Founder. Among chief works of his besides the one already referred to, "The Kyo-gyo-shin-sho," we mention the following: "The Gutoku-sho," "The Jodo-monrui-jusho," "The Nyu-shutsu-nimon-ge," "The Jodo-sangyo-wojo-monrui," "The Wogen-yeko-monrui,"

[paragraph continues] "The Jodo-wasan," "The Koso-wasan," "The Shozomatsu-wasan," "The Yui-shin-sho-mon-i," "The Songo-shinzo-meimon," "The Ichinen-tanen-shomon," etc.

Besides these, we have two volumes of his letters collected by his disciples, which are entitled, "The Matto-sho" and "The Go-shosoku-shu." Still later, Nyoshin Shonin, grandson of the master, compiled sayings of the latter

under the title, "The Tan-i-sho." By the aid of these books, we are able to look into his faith and conviction as it was alive in his heart; and our exposition of the doctrine of the True Sect will be according to these works.

Footnotes

^5:* "Amida" in Sanskrit, and "Omitho" in Chinese.

^8:1 A collection of those passages from the sutras and other works with their explanation, which relate to the thinking of the Buddha (nembutsu) or the reciting of his name,--this reciting being Amida's original prayer (hongwan) most thoughtfully selected by himself.

^14:2 An exposition of the essential principles of the True Sect as to what it teaches (kyo), practises (gyo), believes (shin), and attains (sho). 6 fasciculi.

^23:3 Literally, "the simple-hearted bald man's copy-book." This is the name given by Shinran Shonin to his own writing in which he declares his religious faith as a simple-hearted monk. By "bald" is meant a shaved head. 2 fasiculi.