The Gyakuho Sendai Argument in Shinran

Abstract

Furuta Takehiko thinks that Shinran distinguished the ultimate sinner (Gyakuho sendai) from himself. Quoting Mattosho 19 and Shinran shonin goshosoku 9, Furuta points out the contradiction that Shinran catches himself and others in speaking of the ultimate sinner. But, can one label others as ultimate sinners simply because one knows that one's self is such? For Shinran, the self that is known to Amida is the ultimate sinner. Shinran did not distinguish himself from the ultimate sinner, but on the contrary included himself in that category. On the basis of these two letters of Shinran we can come to understand how Shinran guided his disciples from his position of being known by Amida as an ultimate sinner.