How to distinguish between real and fake religion

 Although all religions are like various paths to the same goal, there are many fake ones disguised as religions, so we need a way to distinguish between real and fake.

Whenever I'm unsure whether something is real or not, I always ask,

"Does that god, Buddha, or Gohonzon save those who don't believe?"

I think this is a nasty question, or a mean question, or a devil's question, but it's a test of the ultimate.

In short, it's asking,

"Will it save everyone?"

Now, let's start with Buddhism, as for Shinran, or rather Jodo Shinshu. The answer is

"YES!"

I'll try to give an overview of it to the best of my understanding.

Amida Buddha vowed not to become a Buddha until all sentient beings became Buddhas. This alone declares that all people will be saved, including those who do not believe, but there is a slight problem here...

"However, the five cardinal sins and ten evil deeds  are excluded"

"However, those who slander the True Law are excluded"

There are provisos. These exception clauses are a common tactic used by bad officials to weaken laws, and because of them, the infinite mercy of Amida Buddha is weakened.

The reason for including this "exception clause" may have been kindness and parental love at first. In other words, they were worried that if they said "everyone will be saved," we would become too comfortable and spoiled, and would think, "So I can do anything I want," and fools would fall into evil one after another. However, doing evil just because you can do anything is ultimately a kind of enemy to yourself . Evil is something that gives you a good feeling at first, but then causes you even more pain later, so it is ultimately not worth it and is a loss. Therefore, it is foolish to do evil deeds thinking that you can do anything because you will be saved anyway. Because it will be a loss.

However, once this exception clause is added, it will be interpreted endlessly by ruthless pseudo-religious people, and it will eventually come to the point where "no one will be saved" if you do not believe in the pseudo-religious people. Arbitrary broad interpretation of exception clauses in laws is also a common tactic used by bad officials and bad people in power.

So, Shinran's interpretation is that this exception clause was not originally there, but someone added it later out of unnecessary meddling. Therefore, the exception clause is invalid and should be deleted. Therefore, everyone will be saved, without exception.

But to receive the salvation of Amida Buddha, you have to chant "Namu Amida Butsu" to be saved, right?

You may think so, but that's okay. He teaches that even people who do not chant the Nembutsu can be saved by "Eko (transferring)". Eko (dedication) means transferring the merits of those who recited the Nembutsu to those who did not.

"I don't mind if you do it later, but please transfer the merits of my Nembutsu to those who did not recite it first." 

He teaches that even non-believers can be saved thanks to the grateful people who pray for them.

At that point, the people who transfer the merits are practically Buddhas. They are Amida Buddha himself. Surely the seed of mercy, the Buddha nature, that is in all people is at work within them.

For this reason, according to Shinran's teachings, all people will be saved. Even non-believers will be saved.

What about other sects of Buddhism? Nichiren, for example.

Of course I asked him. That devil's question. The answer will be in the next issue.

Let love and compassion lead you.

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