Genshin’s Interpretation of Monmyō 聞名: In The Essentials for Birth in the Pure Land 往生要集 and The Commetary on the Amitābha Sūtra 阿弥陀経略記
2022 Volume 71 Issue 1 Pages 149-152
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2022 Volume 71 Issue 1 Pages 149-152
In this paper, I consider how Genshin 源信 （942-1017） understood monmyō 聞名（listening to the names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas）.
Genshin preached in the Essentials for Birth in the Pure Land 往生要集 （985）, a text written in his middle age, that monmyō has the benefit of leaving the world of suffering, and the benefit of realizing bodhi in the future.
Genshin, in his later years, in The Commentary on the Amitābha Sūtra 阿弥陀経略記 （1014）, also preached that monmyō has the benefit of genfutai 現不退 （not to retreat in the middle of Buddhist practice）. Specifically, genfutai means that although we may fall into the world of suffering, we will surely become a Buddha someday.
Genshin made people aware that they had already obtained great benefit as above by monmyō, and advised them to pursue further benefits and practices
