Hyōbyaku (Pledge)
This year, I have undertaken the responsibility to serve as the 26th Abbot of the Shinshū Ōtani-ha. On theoccasion of the succession ceremony today, I humbly make this pledge before the image of Shinran Shōnin.
Based upon the Sutra on Immeasurable Life, the true teaching of the Buddha, Shinran Shōnin clarified thatJōdo Shinshū is a way of awakening through the practice of the recitation of the Buddha’s Name and receiving
the Original Vow embodied as the Name. He also showed us that Jōdo Shinshū is a true path leading touniversal liberation for all humankind. Generations of our predecessors on this path have devoted themselves tomaintaining our Honganji sangha in order to pass down the teaching of Shinran Shōnin faithfully to futuregenerations.
In the Preamble of the Constitution of the Shinshū Ōtani-ha, it is stated,
Our shūmon has been supported and maintained by the deep sense of joy and gratitude held bygenerations of Dharma listeners who have revered the Honganji as the Shinshū Honbyō (ShinshūMemorial Hall), the “spiritual focus of Shinshū followers.” Furthermore, generations of leadersof the Honganji who are descendants of Shinran Shōnin have fulfilled the Shōnin’s followers’
trust by assuming the important role of rusushiki (caretaker) to take care of the memorial hall ofthe Shōnin. As one of the rusushiki, Rennyo Shōnin, who is revered as the restorer of theHonganji, revived Jōdo Shinshū by elucidating the significance of the teaching while deepening
the relationships with our on-dōbō on-dōgyō (fellow seekers and travelers).
In November 2011, I received the appointment to serve as Associate Abbot and Overseas District Abbot. InApril 2014, I was officially selected as Successor to the Abbot. The following year, I moved from Brazil toJapan where I have been living since then. Even though I grew up in Brazil, I have somehow managed toperform those important responsibilities. It is solely due to the tremendous support so many people haveextended to me. In addition, I have learned a lot about the importance of cultivating the sense of gratitude ineveryday life from the humble attitude of Former Abbot Chōken Ōtani, who has always shared his appreciationof life with our fellow seekers. I express my sincerest respect and most profound gratitude to the Former Abbot
for faithfully observing the Constitution, serving as a wonderful example of how an Abbot should be in moderntimes, and fulfilling his duties with his singlehearted devotion to maintaining the Shinshū Honbyō and oursangha.
In 2023, our denomination will observe the 850th Celebration of Shinran Shōnin’s Birth as well as the800th Anniversary of the Establishment of Jōdo Shinshū. The previous celebration fifty years ago took place inthe midst of the internal conflicts that were triggered by the Kaishin Incident in 1969. Even during such a
critical time, our predecessors devoted themselves to reconfirm the original spirit of the Dōbōkai movement byelucidating the “spirituality of Shinran Shōnin” as well as defining the “distinctive characteristics of Shinshū” indoctrinal studies and propagation efforts. They showed us through their dedicated efforts that there are nohardships that could prevent us from committing ourselves to the path of Buddhadharma.
In today’s society, there continue to be people who suffer from major problems such as poverty,discrimination, and disparities. But even more common are the countless numbers of people suffering from fear,anxieties, and isolation. On the other hand, there is also a growing trend for people, regardless of age group, tobe disassociated with institutionalized religions including Buddhism. What do those harsh realities mean to us
religious communities? The truth is that we are strongly urged to address those issues and deepen ourunderstanding of the nenbutsu teaching as clarified by Shinran Shōnin. In fact, the teaching of Shinshū would

never have emerged in this world if Shinran Shōnin had not confronted major challenges in his life. He
maintained his quest for enlightenment because of the hardships he experienced during his banishment in
Echigo and on the frontier of Kantō.
Our denomination has selected the theme, “Namu Amida Butsu: To Discover the Meaning of Being Born as
Human Beings,” for the celebration in 2023 in the hope that it would clarify the significance of those events inthe world today while raising our awareness of current social issues. It is because it is even more important for
us now to reflect upon ourselves from the standpoint of the Buddha’s Wisdom and Compassion, not from ourown human intellect. Through such reflection, we can regain our appreciation of having been born as a humanbeing. In other words, it is only through the lens of the nenbutsu that we can gain a true understanding of what
we are. Especially in this modern age of advanced science and technology, we humans have the power to use
science and technology to that end. Therefore, our decisions must be founded upon a truly religious mind whichis the only source of our appreciation for life. To make clear what the religious mind means in modern society is
the responsibility of religious leaders. The aspiration of Bodhisattva Dharmakara always gives us guidance on
the religious mind, the mind of equality, which transcends differences of nationality, race, gender, and age.
From the moment our lives began, we have been embraced by the nenbutsu, and when our lives end, wewill return to the world of the nenbutsu. This is what the teaching of Shinshū has told us. To share this teachingof Namu Amida Butsu with people around the world is an important mission for all us who are fortunate to haveencountered the tradition of Shinshū. A sangha of nenbutsu followers has the power to give people courage totake on life’s challenges and to live their lives to the fullest. I sincerely wish that the spirit of the nenbutsu
sangha will continue to inspire everyone and be passed down through the generations.
On this occasion, with deep appreciation for having been able to be part of this tradition, I pledge before theimage of Shinran Shōnin that I will faithfully observe the provisions of the Constitution of the Shinshū Ōtani-ha
which is the embodiment of the most cherished wishes of our fellow seekers, continue to listen to and to learn
from the teaching of Shinshū. In addition, I will devote myself to the rituals that express reverence toward theBuddha and our spiritual forebears of our tradition, thereby working toward the realization of a dōbō society.
While bowing reverently toward the working of the Tathāgatha’s Wisdom and Compassion, to the virtuesof the nenbutsu teaching that Shinran Shōnin clarified, I humbly wish for the continued support and guidancefrom our fellow seekers.
Shaku Shūmyō
November 20, 2020