Why Is an Other Power Buddhist Path Necessary?

Abstract

The term “other power” is often misunderstood. This paper aims to address the question of what Shinran was intending to do in setting forth a Buddhist path based on other power. First, I point out that “self power” does not mean the same thing as “effort.” Next, I show that self power refers to relying on oneʼs own capacities or way of thinking and misconstruing Buddhism based on oneʼs own self-centered ideas of what it should be, such that it ultimately ceases to be Buddhism altogether. Finally, I argue that it is the working of Amida Buddhaʼs original vow that overcomes this problem that human beings are faced with, and it is only through other power that a path to Buddhahood that is truly open to anyone can be established.