Buddha of Infinite Light - by Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Shin is the uniquely Japanese flowering of the type of Buddhism known as "Pure Land." It originated in the thirteenth century with the charismatic and prophetic figure Shinran (1172-1263), whose interpretation of the traditional Pure Land teachings was extremely influential in his own lifetime and remain so today. In a period when Japanese Buddhism was dominated by an elitist monastic establishment, Shinran's Shin teaching became a way of liberation for all people, regardless of age, class, or gender.

Although Shin is one of Japan's greatest religious contributions--and is still the most widely practiced form of Buddhism in Japan--it remains little known in the West. In this book, based on several lectures he gave in the 1950s, D. T. Suzuki illuminates the deep meaning of Shin and its rich archetypal imagery, providing a scholarly and affectionate introduction to this sometimes misunderstood tradition of Buddhist practice.

Review Quotes

This volume is a revised edition of a work first published in 1970 based on D.T. Suzuki's lectures at the American Buddhist Academy in the 1950s. Although Pure Land Buddhism originated in India, it flowered during the 13 th century in Japan under the teachings of Shinran (1172-1263). Devotees of this spiritual practice were drawn primarily from the peasant class.

According to D.T. Suzuki, Amida Buddha is infinite light and eternal life. A simple repetition of his name with singleness of heart is to step into the Pure Land - a transcendent realm. This devotional path emphasizes faith in "other power." Salvation is all Amida's work: there is nothing one can do. In fact, pride (self-power) has no place in the Pure Land where everything is dependent on grace. As Taitetsu Unno points out in the introduction, Shin Buddhism agrees with Christianity on this point.

The simple adoration involved in the vow "I take refuge in Amida Buddha" colors the everyday activities of Pure Land believers. Suzuki characterizes their lives as animated by humility, kindness, and joy. The way of devotion results in "excellence of person." And this state, in turn, emits "the wonderful of spirituality."--Frederic A. Brussat, Values and Visions , April 1998

About the Author

Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki (1870-1966) was one of the primary modern interpreters of Zen for the West. He is the author of many books, among them Manual of Zen Buddhism, Essays in Zen Buddhism, and Zen in Japanese Culture.