During our study sessions, I occasionally speak of ‘provisional’ learning, or ‘provisional’ understanding. What do I mean by this?
If we jump into a deep river, we instantly become drenched, and all at once, we are wet from head to toe. Unfortunately, learning is not like that. The learning process is more akin to walking in a gently, misty rain. It is gradual process, and it simply cannot be hurried.
This one step at a time approach is particularly necessary when the subject matter is multi-faceted or multi-layered, and this is certainly the case as far as Shin Buddhism is concerned. This also applies to the teachings of its enigmatic founder, Shinran Shonin. After all, one of the first things we learn about this paradoxical man is that he identified himself as ‘neither priest or lay’ (neither one thing or another) - and that it was never his intention or desire to become the founder of a branch of Shin Buddhism.
Though clearly replete with complications and plot-twists, Shinran’s life is, like all other lives, just a matter of fact. It begins with a date of birth and ends with a death certificate. For most of us, the details of all that happens between those two events is usually perfunctory and certificate based. Personal details are anecdotal, and based upon the memories of friends and relatives. Fortunately, and with thanks to the diligence of his followers, we have an accurate record of his most important teachings; and the events that must have surely influence the thinking process of the Great Master.
And so, in this vein, our Study Group is embarking together upon reading and discussing The Life and Legacy of Master Shinran, as it appears in Article 3 in a new publication entitled THE CALL OF BOUNDLESS COMPASSION, A Collection of Articles – Edition 1, by Heng Ng. Note: The author Heng Ng runs a WorldPress blog @ callofboundlesscompassion.wordpress.com
Zoom Study group meetings due to take place every other Wednesday at 8.30pm through to April 2026 are as follows:
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