Genshin

Genshin

The teaching and practice which leads to birth in Paradise is the most important thing in this impure world during these degenerate times. Monks and laymen, men of high or low station, who will not turn to it?... The first division, the corrupt land which one must shun, comprises the three realms in which there is no peace. Now, in order to make clear the external appearances of this land, it is divided into seven parts: 1) hell, 2) hungry demons, 3) beasts, 4) fighting demons, 5) man, 6) Deva, and 7) a conclusion… The second division is the Pure Land towards which one must aspire. The rewards of Paradise are of endless merit. Should one speak of them for a hundred kalpas or even for a thousand kalpas, one would not finish describing them; should one count them or give examples of them, there would still be no way to know of them. At present, ten pleasures in praise of the Pure Land will be explained, and they are as but a single hair floating upon the great sea. First is the pleasure of being welcomed by many saints. Second is the pleasure of the first opening of the lotus. Third is the pleasure of obtaining in one’s own body the ubiquitous supernatural powers of a Buddha. Fourth is the pleasure of the realm of the five wonders. Fifth is the pleasure of everlasting enjoyment. Sixth is the pleasure of influencing others and introducing them to Buddhism. Seventh is the pleasure of assembling with the holy family. Eighth is the pleasure of beholding the Buddha and hearing the Law. Ninth is the pleasure of serving the Buddha according to the dictates of one’s own heart. Tenth is the pleasure of progressing in the way of Buddhahood.

—From The Essentials of Salvation by Genshin

Genshin (942-1017) was a leading proponent of the Buddhist Tendai sect of Buddhism, which holds the Lotus Sutra as the highest and only self-contained teachings necessary for enlightenment. In particular, Genshin was a supporter of the Tendai branch known as Pure Land Buddhism. Genshin taught that chanting the name of the divinized form of the Buddha (Amitabha) was efficacious to achieving enlightenment — or rebirth in the Pure Land. In support of this main practice, known as nembutsu, Genshin also encouraged moral rectitude and meditation among the sect’s members, although he shied away from participating in any of the controversies surrounding the Pure Land doctrine, preferring to live in monastic isolation among his disciples.