Naturalness: A Classic of Shin Buddhism [Paperback]

Kenryo Kanamatsu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 6, 2003

Essays covering a wide range of subjects: spiritual symbolism, the afterlife, and more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is recommended reading for anyone interested in exploring the universe of spirituality that knows no boundaries." -- Taitetsu Unno, Professor Emeritus of Religion, Smith College, author of River of Fire, River of Water: An Introduction to the Pure Land Tradition of Shin Buddhism

"Rev. Kanamatsu elegantly and vividly portrays the broad universal and inclusive spirit of Shin Buddhism." -- Alfred Bloom, Professor Emeritus, Religion Department, University of Hawaii and author of Shinran's Gospel of Pure Grace

"without a doubt, deserves a careful and attentive reading by those...concerned about their own inward state,...[and] the world." -- Mokusen Miyuki, Department of Religious Studies California State University Northridge

Received 5 STARS: "This book not only explains Shin Buddhism clearly; it also emphasizes the amazing naturalness of attaining Enlightenment." -- ForewordReviews.com

About the Author

Born in 1915 in Kyoto, Kenryo Kanamatsu took his B.A. in philosophy at Otani University. Following study under a Fulbright scholarship at Cornell and the University of Chicago, he received his doctorate and became a professor at Otani University. Dr. Kanamatsu translated the works of Plato into Japanese and wrote a book on Plato's theology and cosmology which has not been translated into English. He was a lifelong devotee of Shin Buddhism.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: World Wisdom (September 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941532291
• ISBN-13: 978-0941532297
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,050,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short book, long read, November 30, 2003

By 

DAC Crowell - See all my reviews

This review is from: Naturalness: A Classic of Shin Buddhism (Paperback)

Kanamatsu's work here isn't that big a volume, to be sure. But to just skim it would be wrong, since the depth of thought that this slim volume can provoke is very great.

In a sense, this is an introductory text to Jodo Shinshu, the True Pure Land School of Mahayana Buddhism. But at the same time, the author focusses this introduction through the critical Shin concept of 'naturalness'. As such, this is no easy concept to digest on a rational, Western level, especially for beginners who might encounter this book. But somehow, Kanamatsu actually manages to pull off an exegesis of this central precept in such a way that it IS accessible...provided one reads carefully and thoughtfully, as such a topic requires. Approached in mindfulness, this is one of those little books that has the potential to be a life-changer! I wouldn't say that this is the best place to start in ones' readings in Shin Buddhism...I would peg that as either Dr. Tanaka's "Ocean" or Dr. Unno's "River of Fire..."...but this is definitely one of the ones to pick up after the very first intro works.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simplicity, August 19, 2004

By 

Francisco X. Stork (Boston MA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Naturalness: A Classic of Shin Buddhism (Paperback)

This little volume by Kenryo Kanamatsu is informative and "transformative." It does not only describe the faith underlying Shin Buddhism, perhaps it will also open your heart to an awareness and acceptance of Shin's trust in creation's goodness. The book will lay before you that (often neglected) side of Buddhism that speaks to the heart's yearning to surrender to something great, to our natural impulse and need for devotion. There are more scholarly works on Shin Budhism. This book is more like the poetic expression of a man who has touched Heaven. It is beautiful and true, like the truth it seeks to convey, and it will call you to read its words again and again.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Shin Buddhism from a sentimental perspective, February 21, 2007

By 

Gerald Ford "pho_kin" (The Jack n' the Box at the corner) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Naturalness: A Classic of Shin Buddhism (Paperback)

The concept of "jinen" or "naturalness" is an important part of Shin Buddhism, and so I was expecting this book to cover this concept. Instead, this book was more of an introduction to Shin Buddhism, with the focus being the sentimental side to Shin Buddhism, not the analytical side.

There are plenty of books around that explain in theory how Shin Buddhism works, but not many explain what it all means to the average person, so I think this book fills a special niche.

The problem is in the writing. The book is somewhat dated, and its translations of some terms are equally dated. As with earlier Buddhist writings, this book tries to use Christian terminology rather than more establish modern Buddhist terms, so a new reader may get the wrong impression in thinking that Shin Buddhism is like Christianity for Buddhists.

Also, the author tends to use more literal interpretations of Shin concepts. The term Jodo Shinshu gets translated as "The True Teaching" which it really means "The True Pure Land Sect" in more modern translations. The author takes the Pure Land sutras at face value, which I am not all that comfortable with. Western interpretations tend to see them as symbolic, not literal.

One thing I really liked about this book is explaining the importance and meaning behind the Nembutsu. A lot of people misunderstand the purpose of the nembutsu and treat it like a mantra.

The other problem with this book is the flow. The book spends a lot of time covering what the Pure Land is like, which again is taken from a literal perspective, and lot of time praising Amida. Toward the end, it finally explains why this matters, but I felt that the praise was unnecessary (let the reader decide that) and detracted from the more important message at the end.

All in all, I think this book is a useful addition for the Shin Buddhist library, but I hope someone can edit this book, or at least add footnotes to explain some of the phrases chosen. This book is well-intentioned, and has some useful points, but I wouldn't call it the definitive book on Shin Buddhism.