Primal Vow

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Buddhism in Japan
Schools Jōjitsu Hosso Sanron Kegon Ritsu Kusha Tendai Shingon Pure Land Zen Nichiren
Founders Saichō Kūkai Hōnen Shinran Dōgen Eisai Ingen Nichiren
Sacred texts Avataṃsaka Sūtra Lotus Sūtra Prajñāpāramitā Heart Sūtra Infinite Life Sūtra Mahāvairocana Sūtra Vajraśekhara Sūtra
Glossary of Japanese Buddhism
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In Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, the Primal Vow (Japanese: 本願 hongan) is a term that refers to the 18th vow that is part of a series of 48 vows that Amitabha Buddha made in the Infinite Life Sutra.

Content

The text of the 18th vow of Amitabha Buddha, according to Infinite Life Sutra, reads:^[1]

If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the lands of the ten quarters who sincerely and joyfully entrust themselves to me, desire to be born in my land, and call my Name, even ten times, should not be born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment. Excluded, however, are those who commit the five gravest offences and abuse the right Dharma.

Use of the term Primal Vow

The Japanese term hongan (本願) is derived originally from the Sanskrit term pūrva-praṇidhāna, meaning "original vow" or "original pronouncement." However, the use of this term pūrva-praṇidhāna for the 18th vow of Amitabha Buddha is not known as part of Mahāyāna Buddhism in India, in which the 18th vow was not treated in any special way. The term pūrva-praṇidhāna typically refers to all the original vows made by a bodhisattva in order to develop bodhicitta and begin his strivings toward Buddhahood. Regarding Pure Land practice in Indian Buddhism, Hajime Nakamura writes that as described in the Pure Land sūtras from India, Mindfulness of the Buddha (Skt. buddhānusmṛti) is the essential practice.^[2] Mindfulness of the Buddha is called nianfo in Chinese, and nembutsu in Japanese.

Role in Japanese Buddhism

In Japanese Buddhism, Amitabha Buddha is often associated with devotional practices, and he is regarded as striving to save those beings who are incapable of reaching Enlightenment through their negative karma, by leading them to Enlightenment. The founder of Jodo Shu Buddhism, Hōnen, emphasized the importance of the Primal Vow over the efficacy of practices espoused by his contemporaries in Tendai Buddhism. These same teachings became central to the later Jodo Shinshu Buddhist sect as well.^[3]

This vow forms the basis of Pure Land Buddhism as well as the practice known as nianfo (Ch.), or nembutsu (Jp.) in Asia.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ↑ "The Immeasurable Life Sutra" (in English). Retrieved 2011-10-17. 
2. ↑ Nakamura, Hajime. Indian Buddhism: A Survey with Bibliographical Notes. 1999. p. 205
3. ↑ "Shin Buddhism" (in English). Retrieved 2011-10-17.