introduction, Shinran writes about the idea, first posited by Hōnen, about Amitabha's intent to lead all beings to the Pure Land through smarana, so that they can become Bodhisattvas. These Bodhisattvas will then return to the world to lead other beings along the Buddhist path. Again, Shinran expands on these ideas by citing the writings of past patriarchs of Pure Land thought. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 is devoted to the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha, and birth there. Shinran writes that the Pure Land represents truth and reality, and upon birth in the Pure Land, one's delusions are immediately gone. As the Buddha Amitabha embodies the truth (symbolized by infinite light) his Pure Land and birth there represents awakening from delusions and defilements. This complements Chapter 4's assertion that shinjin is the same as Nirvana. Chapter 6 Chapter 6 is the longest chapter of the Kyogyoshinsho, and brings other Buddhist sects and practices into the context of Pure Land Buddhism as varying forms of skillful means. Other Buddhist writers in medieval Japan similarly tried to categorize Buddhist sects into a form of hierarchy, and here Shinran attempts to do the same. Shinran believes that in the era of Mappo, most of the original practices and teachings have died out or lost their efficacy, and so the only viable path left is the Pure Land path. The end of Chapter 6, the Postscript, includes a brief autobiography, particularly during and after Shinran's exile from Kyoto in the year 1207. He writes about how he came to Hōnen's teachings in the year 1201 and feels he has remained his disciple ever since. He explains that his motivation is to share his joy in finding the Pure Land and hopes that others will take refuge in Amitabha as well. Shinran concludes the Kyogyoshinsho with a passage from the Flower Garland Sutra: On seeing a bodhisattvaPerform various practices,Some give rise to a good mind and others to a mind of evil,But the bodhisattva embraces them all. References The Collected Works of Shinran'' Volumes I and II, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-Ha, Kyoto, Japan, Shin Buddhism Translation Series, 1997. Shinran Shonin, Hisao Inagaki (trans): Kyōgyōshinshō: On Teaching, Practice, Faith, and Enlightenment, Berkeley: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2003. External links The Kyogyoshinsho provided by "Collected Works of Shinran" Kyogyoshinsho translation by Hisao Inagaki Listening to Kyo Gyo Shin Sho Japanese Buddhist texts Jōdo Shinshū Works