ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the complex and multi-layered role of mindfulness in Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism, vis-à-vis contemporary imaginations and debates about meditation, both within and outside the tradition. By exploring Shinshū notions of mindfulness and how they have been historically interpreted, the – to many outsiders – surprising lack of silent practices in the tradition is addressed. This perceived lack creates a conundrum for temples and clergy trying to share Shin Buddhism in contexts where Buddhism is popularly understood to be synonymous with silent meditation. Various responses to this situation are analysed through ethnographic data from a range of locations, showing a rich tapestry of Shin Buddhist attitudes to silent meditation and to the concept of mindfulness and its relevance for the tradition.
