Shinran Quotes
Shinran was a Japanese Buddhist monk and the founder of the Jodo Shinshu, or True Pure Land, school. A student of the earlier Pure Land master Honen, he was exiled with him during a period of imperial persecution and used the time of exile to deepen and radicalize his teaching. The quotes below are attributed to Shinran, organized by topic.
Shinran on God
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Attributed to Shinran:
“Faith alone is the cause of birth in the Pure Land.”
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Attributed to Shinran:
“If even a good person can be born into the Pure Land, how much more so an evil person.”
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Attributed to Shinran:
“When I consider deeply the Vow of Amida, I find it was for myself alone.”
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Attributed to Shinran:
“The light of Amida illuminates the heart that becomes aware of itself.”
Shinran on Love
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Attributed to Shinran:
“I am a being of total karmic evil, yet I am saved by the boundless compassion of Amida.”