Monshu Koshin Ohtani is the head of Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhism), Japan's largest Buddhist denomination. This paperback is dedicated to honor the 750th memorial of Shinran Shonin (1173 - 1263), the founder of the Pure Land path. As Robert Thurman points out in the introduction, Ohtani writes cogently about the place of virtues in everyday life — how one can reach out to others by "gently pushing open the gate surrounding your heart." The book's 36 chapters contain an abundance of insights into the Pure Land Buddhist perspective on life.
Ohtani reveals that in Jodo Shinshu, when a baby is first brought to the temple, he or she bears the wishes of the Buddha and of parents and relatives alike. Perhaps that is why he can state later that there is no one who is entirely useless. Anyone who feels that way should express feelings of gratitude to those around him or her. Why? Because we all depend on one another and it helps to both know it and show it. To reinforce our connections with others, Ohtani suggests that a word of greeting will open the gate to your heart.
On the subject of heart, the author recalls reading a sign on the wall of a temple about "How to listen with the heart."
"1. You should listen as if you are listening for the very first time.
"2. You should listen as if the message is for you alone.
"3. You should listen as if this is the last time you will ever do so in your life."
Life is precious: that is why Ohtani believes there is no justification for taking a life. It is a sheer delight to read these essays that are filled with everyday spirituality. But then Ohtani reminds us that when a survey was done in Japan and people were asked, "What do you associate the word Buddhism with?" most answered, "funeral services and memorial services." Ohtani and others have their work cut out for them.
