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Buddhism of the Heart: Reflections on Shin Buddhism and Inner Togetherness
Despite its 800-year history and standing as one of the most popular branches of Buddhism in the world, Shin Buddhism has been passed on primarily through an oral tradition, leaving few books written about it. Buddhism of the Heart addresses that gap. Using anecdote, reflection, humor, and more, this book invites readers into the world of Shin stories and metaphors, passed down, elaborated, and re-energized generation after generation. The truth of Shin Buddhism’s sacred storytelling, explains author Jeff Wilson, lies in the degree to which it points the hearer on toward deeper humility, awakening, and thankfulness. He shows how the tradition moves us beyond the petty ego as we come closer to the “entrusting heart,” the heart that is rooted in boundless gratitude and considerate awareness of others. A major new voice in Western Buddhism, Wilson evokes the warmth of Robert Fulghum and the nonjudgmental spiritual struggling of Anne Lamott in this accessible, affirming work for the modern seeker.
176 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2009
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Jeff Wilson
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 9, 2019
Has the best American English definitions of Buddhist words and concepts.
Shunyata: All things arise interdependently, thus are empty of self-nature. Interbeing, togetherness.
Shinjin: The trusting heart, we are all mutually embraced by Amida.
Kyosei: co-living or symbiosis.
Selflessness is humility. We don't have to pretend that we are something other than what we truly are.
Two sides of White Ashes: It isn't enough to realize our own mortality and try to live thankfully for the time we have. We also have to be aware of the brutally impermanent nature of everything we love and live in such a way that we never take them for granted. Those left behind are the ones who bear the full burden of mortality.
It is Buddhism that has woken me up to my imperfections and given me the ability to chuckle at my needy little ego's constant attempts to find security and self-aggrandizement in an ever-shifting, largely indifferent world. I guess there is one advantage to realizing that you're never going to get it right; you do begin to stop expecting everyone else to get it right too, which makes for less frustration when other people turn out to be just as human as you are.
I'm thankful for being given the opportunity to love and be loved by others, and to express that love through service. The little good I do in this world is, truly, the least I can do in return, but it is what I can do.
Buddha never said "Life is suffering", he said life contains suffering. Life is neither all suffering nor all happiness, all good or bad. As long as we live, no matter the circumstances, we are floating on the ocean of grace.
Best section in the book: Vegas Memorial page 165 No matter how much you achieve, aging, sickness, and mortality are working away, whittling you down to size until the day they finally win for good. Over time, as I watched Grandmother's health rise and fall, I came to realize that old age, illness and death are not actually three separate, isolated phenomena, but rather completely intermeshed. To be old is to be frequently sick and have death ever nearby as a possibility. And death lies always at the end of the road---
pg 191: Meditation, chanting, reading Sutras, -----these are all tools that can be useful under the right circumstances. But I think there is just as much ( if not more) Buddhism in giving my wife a hug when she comes home from a long day, in dropping a buck in the homeless woman's cup on the corner, in waiting until everyone gets off the train before pushing my way inside the train.
pg 205: When exploring elements of other sects,we have to be careful to remember what we affirm as Shin Buddhists. If we perform meditation with the idea that it will help us get into the Pure Land, or take strict adherence to moral precepts as a necessity for awakening, we will muddy the waters of Shinjin. But if someone meditates because it helps him as an individual calm down and remember the compassion of Amida, or if someone else endeavors to follow the precepts as an expression of gratitude for Amida's other liberating Other power, I don't see these as wrong in any way. Each of us must weigh for ourselves how we wish to pursue our lives as Shin Buddhists, and what seems wrong to me may actually work well for you, while what is essential to you may have no particular relevance to my life. We do need to remain conscious about the possibility of transforming other practices into ego-solidifying self-efforts. But that doesn't automatically preclude Shin Buddhists from finding responsible ways to integrate them into their overall Dharma paths.
Shunyata: All things arise interdependently, thus are empty of self-nature. Interbeing, togetherness.
Shinjin: The trusting heart, we are all mutually embraced by Amida.
Kyosei: co-living or symbiosis.
Selflessness is humility. We don't have to pretend that we are something other than what we truly are.
Two sides of White Ashes: It isn't enough to realize our own mortality and try to live thankfully for the time we have. We also have to be aware of the brutally impermanent nature of everything we love and live in such a way that we never take them for granted. Those left behind are the ones who bear the full burden of mortality.
It is Buddhism that has woken me up to my imperfections and given me the ability to chuckle at my needy little ego's constant attempts to find security and self-aggrandizement in an ever-shifting, largely indifferent world. I guess there is one advantage to realizing that you're never going to get it right; you do begin to stop expecting everyone else to get it right too, which makes for less frustration when other people turn out to be just as human as you are.
I'm thankful for being given the opportunity to love and be loved by others, and to express that love through service. The little good I do in this world is, truly, the least I can do in return, but it is what I can do.
Buddha never said "Life is suffering", he said life contains suffering. Life is neither all suffering nor all happiness, all good or bad. As long as we live, no matter the circumstances, we are floating on the ocean of grace.
Best section in the book: Vegas Memorial page 165 No matter how much you achieve, aging, sickness, and mortality are working away, whittling you down to size until the day they finally win for good. Over time, as I watched Grandmother's health rise and fall, I came to realize that old age, illness and death are not actually three separate, isolated phenomena, but rather completely intermeshed. To be old is to be frequently sick and have death ever nearby as a possibility. And death lies always at the end of the road---
pg 191: Meditation, chanting, reading Sutras, -----these are all tools that can be useful under the right circumstances. But I think there is just as much ( if not more) Buddhism in giving my wife a hug when she comes home from a long day, in dropping a buck in the homeless woman's cup on the corner, in waiting until everyone gets off the train before pushing my way inside the train.
pg 205: When exploring elements of other sects,we have to be careful to remember what we affirm as Shin Buddhists. If we perform meditation with the idea that it will help us get into the Pure Land, or take strict adherence to moral precepts as a necessity for awakening, we will muddy the waters of Shinjin. But if someone meditates because it helps him as an individual calm down and remember the compassion of Amida, or if someone else endeavors to follow the precepts as an expression of gratitude for Amida's other liberating Other power, I don't see these as wrong in any way. Each of us must weigh for ourselves how we wish to pursue our lives as Shin Buddhists, and what seems wrong to me may actually work well for you, while what is essential to you may have no particular relevance to my life. We do need to remain conscious about the possibility of transforming other practices into ego-solidifying self-efforts. But that doesn't automatically preclude Shin Buddhists from finding responsible ways to integrate them into their overall Dharma paths.
December 14, 2025
A beautiful introduction to the living practice of Shin Buddhism, drawing both from traditional Buddhist texts and rituals as well as the author's life experiences in North America and Japan. Short chapters, very easy to read and rich with insight.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews