Buddhist Psalms translated from the Japanese of Shinran Shonin

Shinran, 1173-1263Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

Rating 3.8

Word count: 89K words
Chapters: 9

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Buddhist Psalms translated from the Japanese of Shinran Shonin by ShinranAuthor: Shinran, 1173-1263,Language: English, Class: BQ: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Buddhism, Release Date: Dec 1, 2004

Editor's review

This book is an English verse translation of Japanese works by Shinran Shonin, one of the core texts of the Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land) school of Buddhism, expressing faith and the aspiration for rebirth in the Pure Land through hymn-like verses. For Chinese readers, it offers a window into Japanese Buddhist poetic expression: the language is concise and devout, repeatedly voicing Other-Power faith and the vow of rebirth in the Pure Land, combining religious sentiment with literary rhythm. Being an English translation, readers can observe how Buddhist concepts are rendered in English, which is also useful for translation studies. The electronic edition comes from a public-domain project and is easy to search and cite. It suits quiet, slow reading—take a few verses at a time, and with some background in Pure Land doctrine you will better appreciate its earnest tone. It is not a systematic introduction to doctrine but should be enjoyed as a confessional poem of faith.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Japanese Jodo Shinshu thought, for understanding Shinran's expression of faith
Students of religious poetry or Buddhist literature, as material for analyzing an English translation
General readers who wish to read short verses quietly for daily spiritual practice
Translation enthusiasts interested in English renderings of Buddhist terms and cross-cultural translation

Not a good fit for

Beginners seeking a systematic study of Buddhist doctrine with annotations and explanations
Readers unaccustomed to the repetitive, chant-like style of religious poetry who prefer narrative or argumentative prose
Readers who need a Chinese translation in order to understand the original wording directly

Reading tips

Learn the basic background of Shinran and Jodo Shinshu first, then approach the verses to avoid conceptual gaps
Read five to ten verses at a time and allow pauses for reflection; do not rush to finish
Keep pen and paper to note recurring keywords and observe how the English translation handles Buddhist terms
Read alongside Chinese translations of Pure Land sutras to experience the tone of faith in different languages

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a Chinese translation or an English translation?

It is an English translation of Shinran's Japanese works, entirely in English, released by a public-domain e-book project. Chinese readers need some English reading ability and can draw on general Buddhist knowledge to understand the Jodo Shinshu concepts.

Can I understand it without a Buddhist background?

You can read it, but understanding will be limited. The verses are mainly confessions of faith and do not systematically explain doctrine. It is advisable to first acquire basic knowledge of Jodo Shinshu and Other-Power faith, so that when reading you can grasp the emotional thread without being trapped by terminology.

Is it suitable as daily spiritual reading?

Yes. The verse form is short and the tone earnest, making it easy to read a few verses slowly each day for meditation. For spiritual practice, set a fixed time, read in small amounts repeatedly, and choose a quiet environment to better appreciate its religious sentiment.

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About the author

Shinran, 1173-1263 Author · Japanese · 1173–1263

Shinran (1173–1263) was the founder of the Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land) school in Japan. He studied under Honen, and his major work is the Kyogyoshinsho. The library holds one work by him, Buddhist Psalms translated from the Japanese of Shinran Shonin, an English selection of his religious verses. Centered on invoking the name of Amida Buddha and attaining rebirth in the Pure Land, the poems are plain and earnest in language and filled with deep devotional feeling. Shinran's writings generally expound Pure Land doctrine, stressing faith in Other Power, and have had a profound influence on Japanese Buddhism and later religious thought. Because public information is limited, details of his life and the full range of his writings cannot be described in depth; readers may consult reliable sources such as the Kyogyoshinsho for a fuller understanding of his thought and historical standing.