- Shoshinge
The Shōshinge (正信偈) or "The Hymn of True Faith" was written by the founder of
Jodo Shinshu Buddhism,Shinran . It consists of an outline of thePure Land teaching according to Shinran's personal interpretation. The structure is as follows:* Homage to Amida
* Adoration to Amida andShakyamuni Buddhas
* Exhortation to take refuge in Amida
* Teachings of the Patriarchs:
#Nagarjuna
#Vasubandhu
#Tan-luan
#Tao-cho
#Shan-tao
#Genshin
#Honen
* ExhortationThe Shoshinge is followed by six verses from Shinran's
Sanjo Wasan . The first six verses of the "Jōdo Wasan" (浄土和讃) section of the "Sanjo Wasan" (based onDonran 's "San Amida Butsu Ge"), are most frequently used but traditional temples work their way through the whole "Sanjo Wasan" on an annual basis. In the pastHonganji temples chanted the "Shoshinge" and "Wasan" daily at 6am, but some Jodo Shinshu temples now reserve the "Shoshinge" for special holidays due to its length. The Shoshinge can take up to 30 minutes to chant in its entirety.In Higashi Honganji there are 10 styles of chanting the Shoshinge and in Nishi Honganji 5. Only two or three styles are used regularly. The everyday style is fast, light and monotone whereas the formal styles are often slower, higher toned and more rhythmical.
External links
* [http://www.manitobabuddhistchurch.org/chanting/listentochants_files/page31_2.mp3 The Shoshinge and Wasan sung by the ministers of the Honpa Hongwanji in mp3 format.]
* [http://home.hawaii.rr.com/bsc/shoshinge.htm Shoshinge lyrics in Japanese and English]
* [http://www.shinranworks.com/majorexpositions/kgssII-101_102.htm The Shoshinge at the Collect Works of Shinran site]
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