The Reverend Arthur Lloyd spent many years in Japan as a missionary and scholar. He extensively studied the Pure Land school of Buddhism, particularly the Shinshu sect founded by Shinran Shonen (b. 1173, d. 1262). This book centers around Lloyd's translation of the 'Shoshinge' or Hymn of True Faith, followed by extended commentary on the text which illuminates many aspects of Shinshu belief and practice.