SO TO ZEN - Shasta Abbey

7.The Key to the Doctrines of the Sōtō Schooland to the Pacification of the MindIt is written in the Scriptures that one should enter Buddhismthrough faith. But this does not apply only to Buddhism; allreligions begin and end with faith. The basic principle of thereligious reformation carried out by Luther was summed up bythe phrase: Òonly through faithÓ (allein durch die Glauben). Itis inner faith, not Ôgood works,Õ which will save mankind. InBuddhism it is generally thought that it is the Pure Land Teaching(belief in salvation through faith in Amida Buddha) thatemphasizes pacification of the mind through faith. However,the doctrine of faith is not something which is limited to thePure Land School. The Buddhism of the Kamakura Period,particularly faith in the Original Vow of the Buddha as taughtby Shinran, invocation of the Lotus S‰tra as taught by Nichiren,realization of oneÕs innate enlightenment as taught by D‡gen,are all examples of teachings based on faith. It is noexaggeration to say that the peace of mind which is the object ofthe school is impossible without faith. D‡gen says, ÒIf one hascorrect faith in oneÕs heart, then one must undergo religious72