Our principles
WHO ARE WE?
We are an online community of Portuguese and Spanish speaking folk who are interested in learning and practising the Dharma, or teachings, of Pure Land Buddhism. Our name, Jinen-kō expresses our aspiration to become a space (kō, 講 )where the Dharma of naturalness, spontaneity (jinen, 自然) can be learned and explored..
A PRACTICE FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE
The Jōdo Shinshū tradition is based in the writings of Shinran Shōnin (1173-1263), a Japanese Buddhist monk who redefined Buddhism by making it easier and more accessible for ordinary folk. This is a form of Buddhism that can be practised in the middle of our daily lives, without having to withdraw from the world, or from our working or family life. Jōdo Shinshū does not require anybody to do difficult or ascetic practices.
THE KEY IS LISTENING TO THE DHARMA
Rennyo Shōnin (1415-1499), one of the most significant Dharma successors of Shinran Shōnin wrote about the importance of listening to the Dharma in a certain mindset: 1) As if we listened to the teaching for the first time, 2) as if its message was solely addressed to us and 3) as if this was the last chance we got to listen about Buddhism.
FELLOW TRAVELLERS ON THE PATH TO AWAKENING
According to Shinran Shōnin, we are all his fellow travellers or fellow practitioners on the journey towards awakening. Because of this, our gatherings tend to flow in an interactive, participative and horizontal way. Participants are not expected to have previous experience or knowledge in order to join our events and all questions are welcome!