Gotane Dharma Talk from the Onaijin

Kenji Sensei helps us commemorate the birth and life of Shinran Shonin with a virtual service — including chanting — and provides a special message on the Two Aspects of Deep Mind shared from the Temple onaijin (altar area).

Gotane is a major service in our Jodo Shinshu tradition, held close to the birthday of Shinran Shonin, the founder of this sect. Shinran, who lived from 1173 to 1263 C.E., was born on May 21.

Kenji Sensei marks the occasion during this time of home shelter by delivering his Dharma Talk from the Temple Hondo. In his message, he reviews the life of Shinran in relation to our lives just now in the pandemic, in service of illustrating Shinran’s concept of the Two Aspects of Deep Mind, or Nishu Jinshin.

He also provides us the option of joining in two important chants.

---

Come for the Dharma Talk …. (13:35)

Sensei uses the occasion of Gotane to delve into the Shin concept of Two Aspects of Deep Mind (Nishu Jinshin). He does so in the context of the many challenges or disruptions in Shinran’s life, and how Shinran responded. This is likened to western sayings such as “when one door closes another opens.” Sensei draws parallels to the upsets and displacements we are dealing with during the pandemic, as we try to avoid tragedy.

---

Stay for the Chanting…. (22:26)

In this version the Dharma Talk is preceded by almost ten minutes of chanting. First, hear Sensei welcome the Buddhas in Sambujo (Three Respectful Callings). on page 20 of the San Diego service book, and share the praises offered by the future Amida Buddha, the Bodhisattva Dharmakara, for Lokesvraraja Buddha, in the Sanbutsuge [Praises of the Buddha], page 44.