There are two kinds of way becoming Buddhists. One is those who become Buddhists by taking over the family religion from their ancestors. The other is those who become Buddhists by realizing the great teachings of the Buddha. I guess most of you are Buddhists because your ancestors were Buddhists. Please take a moment to think about why you are a Buddhist and whether you have a true entrusting mind in the teachings or not.

The reason why I am asking the above question is that a member once told me that he does not know whether our Jodo Shinshu teachings are correct or not. In other words, he does not believe our teachings wholeheartedly. How about you? As long as you have a religion, I believe that you should have a faith in your religion whether it is Buddhism, Christian, Hindu, etc. However, we are always ignorant and blind of the truth by various passions, so we cannot see what is true and real. This is why I appreciate the teachings of the Buddha. Although I am an ignorant and foolish being, the Buddha always enables me to appreciate the greatness of the teachings through listening to the Dharma in my daily life.

"If Amida's Vow is true, Shakyamuni's teaching cannot be false. If the Buddha's teaching is true, Shan-tao's commentaries cannot be false. If Shan-tao's commentaries are true, can Honen's words be lies? If Honen's words are true, then surely what I say cannot be empty. - - - whether you take up and accept the Nembutsu or whether you abandon it is for each of you to determine." (The Collected Works of Shinran, P.662)

I quoted the passage from Tannisho "A Record in Lament of Divergences" Chapter 2. When Shinran Shonin lived in Kyoto, his disciples came from Kanto area to ask him about the teachings even though they could have lost their lives by traveling. At that time, there were no train, car, plane, etc. They had to walk long distance.

When Shinran Shonin was about 80 years old, he sent his son Zenran to the Kanto area to correct some misunderstandings about the teachings. Zenran told the people in the Kanto area that he was secretly taught by his father Shinran Shonin, and he was the only person who knew the true teachings. This is why the disciples came from Kanto to ask the true teachings which Shinran Shonin taught his son secretly. However, Shinran Shonin told them, "If you imagine in me some special knowledge of a path to birth other than the nembutsu or of scripture writings that teach it, you are greatly mistaken. If that is the case, since there are many eminent scholars in the southern capital of Nara or on Mount Hiei to the north, you would do better to meet with them and inquire fully about the essentials for birth. As for me, I simply accept and entrust myself to what my revered teacher told me, "Just say the nembutsu and be saved by Amida"; nothing else is involved." (CWS, P662) Shinran Shonin expressed his strong and true entrusting mind to Amida Buddha and the teachings.

I would like to share about Toshiko Kawamura who strongly believes the teachings of Jodo Shinshu. She was born in Kobe, Japan. Her family was strong Christian. Her grandfather built the Christian church in his property and propagated the teachings of Christ around the area. This is why she was naturally raised as a Christian.

Before her marriage, she had an agreement with husband's family that she did not need to change her religion, although her husband family was strong Buddhist. After her marriage, she lived in Tokyo; however, she had to move to Yamaguchi which was the husband's hometown when Tokyo was bombed by US Air during the war.

When she started to live with her parents-in-law, she surprised that the whole family observed services every morning and evening in front of the family altar. However, she did not care and understand the services because she was a strong Christian. Moreover, she preached the teachings of Christ to her parents-in-law and tried to convert them to Christianity.

One of the family mottos for the Kawamura Family handed by generations to generations was that the most important thing was to go to the temple and listen to the teachings of the Buddha. Wherever the temple observed a service, her parents-in-law went to listen to the teachings. Then, she became curious why they looked so happy when they went to the temple and why they went to every temples in their area to listen to the teachings. So, she decided to visit the temple to find out.

She listened and listened to the teachings of the Buddha, however, she could not understand why they were in joy and happiness while listening to the teachings of the Buddha. Because of poor understanding, she was going to quit listening to the teachings. However, she did not because of her parents-in-law's encouragements and Amida Buddha's embrace and guidance. So, she kept listening to the teachings. One day, she was surprised that she was reciting the Nembutsu naturally although she never thought she would recite the Nembutsu. She now has strong faith in the teachings of the Buddha and continues listening to the teachings in joy and happiness in her daily lives.

What I would like to say is that if you do not know your teachings are correct or not, you should further listen to the teachings. Without knowing and believing the teaching, how can you say you are a Buddhist? The important thing is listening to the teachings not only in your head as your knowledge but listening with your whole body and senses and appreciates the teachings as your way of life.