Toward a Pro-Active Engaged Shin Buddhism: A Reconsideration of the Teaching of the Two Truths (shinzoku-nitai)

IN THIS ESSAY WE will focus on the well-known teaching of the “two truths” (Jpn. shinzoku nitai). This theory has been notably prominent in the history of modern Shin Buddhism and indicates the continuing concern for the relation between Shin teaching and the institutions to society. The theory is one of the most problematic concepts in Shin Buddhism today, encountering sharp criticism from many contemporary thinkers. The reason is that the traditional acceptance of Buddhist truth and its reflection on social ethics have not been mutually integrated, but have been separated to imply two different ways of living by one person. In addition, whether such a view of “two truths” originated in Shinran’s thought or not has also been called in question. The concept of “two-truths” originated in the Mådhyamikan Buddhist tradition. However, it has come to be used in Shin Buddhism to mean Buddha’s Law (Jpn. buppø, Skt. buddhadharma) and King’s Law (Jpn. øbø), which has nothing to do with the original Mådhyamikan usage. It is the purpose of this essay to survey the historical development and application of the concept of “two truths” in the history of Japanese Buddhism. We will take up its modern interpretation and offer a reinterpretation more consonant with the contemporary situation of Shin Buddhism within democratic society.