How to Read “Even good people attain rebirth in paradise, how much more so evil people”
Zennin nao mote ōjō wo togu, iwanya akunin wo ya
Meaning of “Even good people attain rebirth in paradise, how much more so evil people”
This proverb means that if even good people can attain rebirth in paradise, then evil people can be saved even more certainly.
Here, “good people” refers to those who rely on their own good deeds and spiritual practices. “Evil people” means those who recognize their own powerlessness and depend solely on Amida Buddha’s compassion.
In Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, human efforts and good deeds alone cannot bring true salvation. Only salvation through Amida Buddha’s original vow is essential.
Even people who take pride in their good deeds are saved by Buddha’s compassion. Those who know their own sinfulness and rely entirely on Buddha are the true targets of Amida Buddha’s salvation.
This expression shows the limits of human self-effort and the certainty of salvation through absolute compassion. Today, it is still quoted in religious contexts to explain the vastness of Amida Buddha’s original vow.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb comes from the words “Even good people attain rebirth, how much more so evil people” written in the Kyogyoshinsho.
This is the main work of Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Shinran deepened the teachings he inherited from his master Honen and explained the essence of salvation through Amida Buddha’s original vow.
Behind these words lies the Buddhist concept of “tariki hongan” or reliance on other power. This contrasts with “jiriki” or self-power, where one achieves enlightenment through one’s own practice.
“Tariki” means relying on Amida Buddha’s compassion. Shinran viewed good people as those who try to attain rebirth by relying on their own good deeds.
Evil people are those who realize they cannot be saved by their own power and rely solely on Amida Buddha’s original vow.
This statement sounds paradoxical at first. But it contains a deep religious truth.
Even good people who rely on their own good deeds are saved by Amida Buddha’s compassion. Therefore, evil people who know their own powerlessness and rely only on Buddha’s vow are exactly whom Amida Buddha intended to save.
This teaching gave great hope to the common people of the Kamakura period. It became a driving force in spreading Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.
Interesting Facts
Shinran’s teaching created major waves in the Buddhist world of his time. Until the Heian period, Buddhism belonged to limited groups like nobles and monks.
Shinran taught that even illiterate common people without education could be saved simply by chanting the nembutsu. This was revolutionary thinking in the Kamakura period with its strict class system.
The expression “iwanya” in this proverb is a remnant of classical Chinese reading style. “Iwanya…wo ya” is a classical Chinese construction meaning “how much more so.”
It expresses stronger affirmation. This expression shows that Shinran was a learned monk with knowledge of classical Chinese.
Usage Examples
- Shinran Shonin taught “Even good people attain rebirth in paradise, how much more so evil people,” saying that those who know their own powerlessness are the ones who will be saved
- At a Buddhist lecture, I heard the words “Even good people attain rebirth in paradise, how much more so evil people” and was moved by the depth of Amida Buddha’s compassion
Universal Wisdom
The universal wisdom this proverb shows is deep insight into human self-awareness and the value of humility.
We often take pride in our efforts and good deeds. We think we can gain something through them. But this proverb teaches that such self-confidence can actually distance us from true salvation.
Recognizing human weakness and limitations is not defeat. Rather, only by knowing our own powerlessness can we open our hearts to greater power and compassion beyond ourselves.
This truth transcends religious context and applies to all aspects of life.
People who overestimate their own power are deeply hurt when they fail. They cannot accept help from others.
On the other hand, people who know their limits can honestly ask for help. They can receive the goodwill of others.
This proverb has been passed down through generations because it touches on the eternal theme of human arrogance and humility.
You don’t need to be perfect. It’s okay to acknowledge weakness. People who do so are truly saved.
This message of hope resonates with people of every era. This wisdom affirms human weakness and still promises salvation. It truly gives us universal comfort and courage.
When AI Hears This
In insurance markets, healthy people don’t buy insurance while sickly people seek it. Economics calls this “adverse selection.”
This proverb speaks of exactly this structure in the religious world.
Good people believe in their own good deeds, so their dependence on Amida Buddha’s salvation system is actually low. In other words, they think they can solve things themselves, so they don’t feel they “need insurance.”
Meanwhile, evil people completely understand they absolutely cannot save themselves. So they depend 100 percent on the salvation system of tariki hongan. The highest-risk people most strongly seek insurance.
What’s interesting here is the perspective of Amida Buddha as the “insurance provider.” Normal insurance companies try to avoid high-risk customers.
But Amida Buddha’s system works in reverse. It’s designed to prioritize saving evil people who completely depend on it. This is a strategy that turns information asymmetry on its head.
Those who accurately recognize their own risk have higher trust in the system. As a result, salvation functions more reliably.
Shinran intuitively understood 800 years ago what modern actuarial science proves: the correlation between accurate self-awareness and probability of salvation.
The confidence of good people is distorted information. The despair of evil people is accurate self-assessment. This is the paradox.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the courage to free ourselves from perfectionism.
In today’s society where we see others’ success on social media and feel pressured to be perfect ourselves, this proverb offers an important perspective.
Acknowledging your weakness and failures is not shameful. Rather, people who can honestly accept their limitations can receive help from others and truly grow.
When you’re stuck at work or troubled in relationships, you can ask someone for help instead of carrying everything alone. That’s not weakness but strength.
This proverb also changes how we view others. Instead of looking down on people who fail or stumble, we can see them as having potential for growth.
In education and the workplace, people who are aware of their challenges may actually have more room to grow than perfect people.
Acknowledge your imperfection and still face forward in life. Such humble and sincere attitude is what truly saves you and helps you grow.
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