The Construction of Tannisho, Chapter II

Abstract

This paper is about different perspectives on understanding the truth or the Primal Vow in chapter two of the Tannisho. According to the common understanding, the latter part of chapter two represents this chapter, but instead, the conclusion or the substance of chapter two can be seen in the first half sentence, which speaks directly about the truth or the Primal Vow.
In the latter part of chapter two is written, “If Amida's Primal Vow is true, Shakyamuni's teaching cannot be false. If the Buddha's teaching is true, Shandao's commentaries cannot be false. If Shandao's commentaries are true, can Honen's words be lies? If Honen's words are true, then surely what I say cannot be empty. Such, in the end, is how this foolish person entrusts himself [to the Vow]. Beyond this, whether you take up the nembutsu or whether you abandon it is for each of you to determine”.
This paradoxical sentence was comprehended to mean that the Primal Vow is the truth. However, this sentence begins with the assumptive word “If-”, which means the truth of Primal Vow is yet unclear. Instead, Shinran's understanding of truth can be found in the first half of sentence in chapter two, concluding “I have no idea”.