More than any other, his preserved writings have helped me in difficulty and warmed my heart.
Here and there some indications of what the quotation addresses would be helpful, too.
Many of these will come from the collections found in "The Promise of Amida Buddha".
I start with his famous One-Sheet Document.
In China and Japan, many Buddhist masters and scholars understand that the nembutsu is to meditate deeply on Amida Buddha and the Pure Land. However, I do not understand the nembutsu in this way. Reciting the nembutsu does not come from studying and understanding its meaning. There is no other reason or cause by which we can utterly believe in attaining birth in the Pure Land than the nembutsu itself. Reciting the nembutsu and believing in birth in the Pure Land naturally gives rise to the three minds (sanjin) and the four modes of practice (shishu). If I am withholding any deeper knowledge beyond simple recitation of the nembutsu, then may I lose sight of the compassion of Shakyamuni and Amida Buddha and slip through the embrace of Amida’s original vow. Even if those who believe in the nembutsu deeply study all the teachings which Shakyamuni taught during his life, they should not put on any airs and should practice the nembutsu with the sincerity of those untrained followers ignorant of Buddhist doctrines.
I hereby authorize this document with my hand print. The Jōdo Shū way of the settled mind (anjin) is completely imparted here. I, Genkū, have no other teaching than this. In order to prevent misinterpretation after my passing away, I make this final testament.
Worrying about your unruly, pain-filled mind?Only repeat the name of Amida with all your heart. Whether walking or standing, sitting or lying, never cease the practice of it even for a moment. This is the very work which unfailingly issues in salvation.
Birth in the Pure Land is attained by the power of nembutsu. It is not taught that you should have tranquility of mind, remove all deterrents, and then recite nembutsu. Rather, you should recite nembutsu incessantly and rid yourself of your negative karma in that way. History has proven that countless lay people have attained birth in the Pure Land. If you do not have tranquility of mind, engage yourself in reciting nembutsu exclusively, praying with all your heart for the power of Amida Buddha.
In life we should accumulate all the merit of nembutsu so that when death comes, we will be welcomed by Amida Buddha into the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. In essence, if we recite nembutsu believing that, no matter what comes or goes there is no anxiety in this life, we will be free from the worry of birth and death.