My appreciation of Rennyo Shonin's words compiled in The Record of Rennyo Shonin's Sayings and Doings (Rennyo-Shonin-Goichidai-ki- kikigaki)

Article 38 : "Discussion of our karmic evil is pointless."

By this phrase Rennyo Shonin means that, although we have sufferings because of our evil karma, at the actual moment our faith is instantaneously awakened, it's entirely up to Nyorai's discretion whether we are saved with our evils eliminated or whether we are saved with our evils still in place.

The commencement of my relationship with Shogyoji Temple dates back over seventy years to the encounter between my father, the late head priest of our temple, and Daigyoin-sama, the then thirteenth Head Priest of Shogyoji Temple. My father passed away a long time ago and the service commemorating the 25-year-anniversary of his death actually takes place this September. Thanks to my age, approaching that of my father when he died, I am now able to appreciate my parents for what they did for me and give thanks to them.

My father, my grandparents' third son, lost his own father at an early age and was deeply involved in the temple's difficulties regarding the appointment of the successor. Whilst agonizing over the problems, my father attended a meeting of Shin Buddhist priests from the area at another temple and discovered for himself what a wonderful person Daigyoin-sama really was. My father put his trust in Daigyoin-sama and followed him from that time on.

My father deemed it the greatest joy of his life to have been able to encounter Daigyoin-sama. Today I can still recall clearly how very deeply my father revered him.

H.K.

My appreciation of Rennyo Shonin's words compiled in The Record of Rennyo Shonin's Sayings and Doings (Rennyo-Shonin-Goichidai-ki- kikigaki)

Article 39 : "To teach sitting amongst lay followers on the same floor."

Rennyo Shonin said, "Shinran Shonin, too, said that those with faith are all brothers and sisters throughout the world." I was impressed by the pure love and compassion of these two great Shin Buddhist leaders.
Likewise, with no discrimination at all, all the priests living at the temple, including the head priest himself, together took care of me day and night, and taught me, ignorant youth that I was, by stepping down to exactly the same level as mine. It was such a kind attitude that enabled me to realise how sincere was their desire to help me attain faith. As a consequence I found myself leading a far fuller life than I had ever experienced before.
To express my gratitude to them for their efforts, for all that time spent sitting with me with no thought for themselves, I will keep moving forward step by step, even if it be only half a step. I would like to make a solemn vow to continue to make progress, based on the wisdom of all those bodhisattvas who know how to keep going forward and how to protect against retrogression.

M.N.