Hoonko is the memorial service dedicated to Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu. The term “Hoon” literally translates to “repaying our debt of gratitude.” The invaluable gift that Shinran Shonin left behind for us to cherish is the core doctrine of Jodo Shinshu. While this is fundamentally rooted in Buddhist teachings, Buddhism itself is divided into various traditions. As you are well aware, the longstanding conflicts in the Middle East intensified dramatically last month. The divine figures in those monotheistic faiths do not explicitly promote war in their foundational scriptures. However, because their doctrines do not strictly forbid it either, and at times even suggest that one must fight to defend their faith, these beliefs often become catalysts for conflict. In monotheistic religions where the divine order is defined as the absolute “good,” actions that do not align with this order are labeled as “evil,” which can lead to armed efforts to correct or eliminate that perceived evil.

In contrast, Buddhism has never engaged in holy wars or religious crusades throughout its history. This is partly due to its inclusive nature as a tradition that actively respected and integrated local beliefs and customs. Furthermore, Buddhist teachings point to the fundamental reality of “emptiness” (Ku), guiding practitioners to transcend rigid, conventional notions of worldly order and absolute dogmas. What, then, is the core teaching of Buddhism? The ultimate goal is “Enlightenment,” and the very word “Buddha” translates to “the awakened one.” The realization of enlightenment is profoundly direct: understanding that all things are impermanent, all things are empty of an independent self, and all unawakened existence is suffering. Realizing these three marks of existence means aligning our lives with this reality. In this ultimate state, there is no absolute standard of good and evil; all such moral concepts are relative, existing only “from someone’s perspective.” This fundamental nature of reality is termed “emptiness.” The goal of Buddhism is to liberate us from the diverse sufferings caused by clinging to personal judgments of good and bad, thereby allowing us to cultivate lasting inner peace.

Jodo Shinshu categorizes Buddhist paths into two primary approaches. The first is the path of self-power (Jiriki), where practitioners strive to reach enlightenment through their own strenuous efforts. This group includes various schools that require intensive study, strict monastic discipline, and the complete renunciation of worldly life, following the path of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. The second approach, which includes Jodo Shinshu, relies on the other-power (Tariki) of Amida Buddha, who established a compassionate method to guide all beings to enlightenment. Historically, this path was revealed as a vehicle of universal salvation, especially for ordinary people who cannot leave their families and secular duties to become monks.

Honen Shonin, the founder of the Jodo sect, searched through thousands of volumes of Buddhist scriptures to find the practice of “Nembutsu,” opening the gates of Buddhism—which had previously been reserved for monastics—to everyone. His foremost disciple, Shinran Shonin, wrote the “Kyogyoshinsho” to explain and validate the path of Nembutsu in a way that remains accessible yet profound. The “Shosingue,” which we chanted together today, is a core section of this monumental work. Even though it was composed with a deep desire to be understood by all, its contents are spiritually vast and require sincere reflection to truly comprehend. Thanks to Shinran Shonin’s tireless efforts, Buddhist salvation became universally accessible, establishing a rich 800-year history. Recognizing this profound legacy and expressing our deepest gratitude is the true purpose of Hoonko. And how do we repay this grace? We do so simply by reciting the Nembutsu with a heart full of gratitude.