The Promise of Amida Buddha

However, there are many other works said to be composed by Kurodani, such as the Collection of Practices for the Certain Attainment of Birth in the Pure Land, the Collection Clarifying that Common Mortals Are in Accordance with the Essential Vow, the Collection Regarding the Steadfast Heart, Practice, and Exercise, and the Reply to the Lady Kujō.⁴⁷⁶ (*Dōkō’s note: There are two different replies to the Lady Kujō from Hōnen-shōnin; this is the one in which Hōnenshōnin mentions the topic of the threefold devotional heart.) These works are different in style and tone from the other Japanese writings of Hōnen-shōnin that I have compiled here. I excluded them from this work because I have grave doubt about their authorship, and the elders said that they were forged.

In addition to these works, I excluded the Dialogue on Twenty-Two Topics,⁴⁷⁷ which consists of approximately twenty-six or twentyseven sheets, and the Manner of Dying,⁴⁷⁸ five or six sheets, because they are also of dubious authenticity and I feel uncertain. There is also the Merit and Demerit of Nembutsu,⁴⁷⁹ which is said to have been composed by Hōnen-shōnin. This is an apparent forgery, however. Further, there are in addition to these works a few other questionable writings that are unworthy of attention.

For more than twenty years, I searched for the literary remains of Hōnen-shōnin all over the capital Kyōto and the provinces. I carefully examined their authenticity and have properly selected them. I assume, however, that I may have made many errors in selection; I strongly hope that any errors made will be rectified by junior masters. If someone should find other authentic works of Hōnen-shōnin that I failed to have noticed, he should add these to this supplement to Collected Teachings of Hōnen: The Japanese Antholog y.