For centuries, the recitation of the Nembutsu has been one of the central practices in the Pure Land tradition of Buddhism. Shojun Bando explains how this practice was selected by Honen, whose message was in turn transmitted by Shinran in the form of the Kyo-Gyo-Shin-Sho. Throughout the course of his discussion, Bando summarizes each of the six parts of this classic work, using the teachings of Shinran as a framework for a broader explanation of the fundamental doctrines of Pure Land thought.

Author Shojun Bando introduces us to Jodo Buddhism, little known to many, through a more familiar form: Zen Buddhism. His purpose is to correct the "deplorable fact that Jodo Buddhism has long been misunderstood by many people as being something little different from Christianity." His intention is to "describe the character of Jodo Buddhism in contrast with the Zen way of attaining the Buddhist principle, sūnyatā" (non-substantiality). Bando's work here ultimately clears up a number of simplistic misunderstandings about both forms of Buddhism and gives us a greater appreciation of both.

T'an-luan (Jp: Donran), who lived from 476-542, was a Chinese Buddhist monk credited by Honen as the founder of Pure Land Buddhism in China. T'an-luan is also considered the Third Patriarch in Japanese Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Though he lived many centuries before the founder of Jodo Shinshu, Shinran, his writings survived and were influential on Honen and his student, Shinran. This essay surveys the history of the development of Jodo Shinshu thought, informing students of this branch of Buddhism of the critical role T'an-luan's played in forming central Shin concepts.

Bando discusses the Buddhist concept of jōbutso, also known as Enlightenment or the attainment of Buddhahood. He argues that Shinran’s Pure Land teaching differs in its conception of jōbutso in that in the Pure Land teaching, one cannot achieve Buddhahood in life, due to an inability to detach ourselves from the “defilement” of earthly life.