The Meaning of “Shokudoku” in Shinran's Thought

Abstract

Why did Shinran quote the Wangsheng lunzhu's explanation of “Shokudoku” in the “True Buddha Land” chapter of the Kyogyshinsho? I most particularly examine the question of the intent behind the quotation with regard to the “original” meaning of “Shokudoku”. I conclude that the intent of the quotation is to demonstrate the reason why the True Buddha's Recompensed Land is established as fulfillment of the Primal Vow. In other words, the reason clarifies the theory of simultaneous cause and effect according to the “original” meaning.