Are there "Myokonin" in Jodo Shu?

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ZhengShen
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Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2022 3:27 pm

Are there "Myokonin" in Jodo Shu?

Post by ZhengShen »

I've found the stories of the Myokonin very inspiring - as we all do, I think. I'm curious, is there anything similar in Jodo Shu? There's so little in English, and I find exemplary lives can be so valuable, in addition to reading the teachings.
Zheng Shen

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源食う
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Re: Are there "Myokonin" in Jodo Shu?

Post by 源食う »

The short answer is yes, and it is referenced in both Jodo-shu and Jodo Shin-shu literature: http://jodoshuzensho.jp/daijiten/index. ... D%E4%BA%BA

As a rough translation, this dictionary defines myokonin as sole-nembutsu practitioners who excel in faith and practice. In the Contemplation Sutra, nembutsu practitioners are likened a "the white lotus among people" and Shandao clarifies this as encompassing five types of praiseworthy people: 好人・妙好人・上上人・希有人・最勝人 (roughly good, wonderfully good=myokonin, superior, rare, and supreme people). In the Senchakushu, Honen defines these and says myokonin refers to the names of those who act crudely (? not too sure how to translate:待麁惡而所稱).

The entry notes that the term is often used to praise people who case aside miscellaneous practices and take refuge in correct practices. The Chinzei-branch patriarch Ryogyo specifically related myokonin to the merit of the precepts. In Shin-shu, however, with the publication of Myokonin Biographies in the late Edo period, they became an ideal for practitioners of that sect.
ZhengShen
Posts: 67
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2022 3:27 pm

Re: Are there "Myokonin" in Jodo Shu?

Post by ZhengShen »

源食う wrote: Wed Nov 16, 2022 1:32 am The short answer is yes, and it is referenced in both Jodo-shu and Jodo Shin-shu literature: http://jodoshuzensho.jp/daijiten/index. ... D%E4%BA%BA

As a rough translation, this dictionary defines myokonin as sole-nembutsu practitioners who excel in faith and practice. In the Contemplation Sutra, nembutsu practitioners are likened a "the white lotus among people" and Shandao clarifies this as encompassing five types of praiseworthy people: 好人・妙好人・上上人・希有人・最勝人 (roughly good, wonderfully good=myokonin, superior, rare, and supreme people). In the Senchakushu, Honen defines these and says myokonin refers to the names of those who act crudely (? not too sure how to translate:待麁惡而所稱).

The entry notes that the term is often used to praise people who case aside miscellaneous practices and take refuge in correct practices. The Chinzei-branch patriarch Ryogyo specifically related myokonin to the merit of the precepts. In Shin-shu, however, with the publication of Myokonin Biographies in the late Edo period, they became an ideal for practitioners of that sect.
Many thanks! I hope more will be available in English soon - but this is very helpful!
Zheng Shen

Sayings of the Pure Land Buddhist Masters
https://www.facebook.com/people/Sayings ... 295437647/

Plain Words on the Pure Land Way
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