SHINRAN (Jodo Shinshu School)

The high priest who gave a light to people who are not rewarded. Shinran (May 21, 1173 ? Jan. 16, 1263)was a Japanese Buddhist monk. Shinran was a pupil of Hounen and the founder of what ultimately became the Jodo Shinshu school in 12th century.   The hallmark of his idea is “Akunin Shoki”. “Every action is based on some desires, this is not along with Buddhism teaching that abandon desires. So, nobody can take things philosophically (can’t become Buddha). Everybody is unenlightened person. However, Amida Nyorai can save us who can’t be spiritually awakened. Amida are always wishing we go to Jodo.” This idea had saved people who gave...

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HOUNEN (Jodo Pure Land School)

The Founder of Jodo school Buddhism! Hounen (1133-1212) is the religious reformer and founder of the first independent?branch of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism called Jodo shu. He preached that?believing in Amida Nyorai strongly. Because Mappou Shisou (one of eschatology)?prevailed in the years that he lived. He was the first proponent of Nenbutsu (repeat the name of Amida) “Namu?Amida Butsu”. And he preached Buddhism to common people (before Hounen made appearance, Buddhism was religion for nobles only) Head temple of Jodo school! Chion-in is the head temple of Jodo School (Pure Land Buddhism) at Kyoto, Japan. It’s one of the largest temple. It’s the place where Hounen lived to disseminate?the teachings...

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SAICHO a.k.a. DENGYO DAISHI (Tendai Buddhism)

The Founder of Tendai Buddhism! Saicho (a.k.a. Dengyo Daishi, 767 – 822) was a Japanese Buddhist monk credited?with founding the Tendai school in Japan, based around the Chinese Tiantai?tradition he was exposed to during his trip to China beginning in 804. He founded the temple and headquarters of Tendai at Enryaku-ji on Mt. Hiei?near Kyoto. He is also said to have been the first to bring tea to Japan. After his death, he was awarded the posthumous title of Dengyo Daishi. The school that he established produced a lot of number of great historical monks. And especially, Tendai school was completed by his pupils after his death. Head temple of...

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KUKAI a.k.a. KOBO DAISHI (Shingon Buddhism)

The Founder of Shingon esoteric Buddhism! Kukai, also known posthumously as Kobo Daishi (774 – 835), was a Japanese monk, scholar,?poet, and artist, founder of the Shingon or “True Word” school?of Buddhism. In 7th and 8th century, Japanese knew Buddhism fragmentary. So, Imperial house decided to send some monks to Tang dynasty to study Buddhism perfectly. Kukai was one of them. As he was excellent student, he was appointed as successor of Shingon Buddhism from Chinese monk, Hui-kuo. Therefore, orthodox Shingon Buddhism moved to Japan. After returning to Japan, he propagated perfect Buddhism, he contributed to Japanese Buddhism. Shingon Buddhism head temple. Shingon Buddhism’s head temple is Kongobuji temple at...

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INGEN (Oubaku Zen)

Chinese Zen monk who had given strongly influence to Japanese Zen. Ingen (1592-1673) is Chinese Zen monk in the latter of Ming Dynasty. He’d come to Japan to take up top monk’s post at the Buddhist temple of Chinese town at Nagasaki, Japan. His Zen was Chinese Rinzai Zen mixed Zen and Nenbutsu. His Zen used to have been very influential, so he has been given permission to establish his temple by 4th Shogun, Tokugawa Ietsuna. His influence had strongly given to the restoration movement of Japanese Rinzai & Soto Zen. Oubaku Zen Head Temple Oubaku Zen head temple is Manpuku-ji at Kyoto, Japan. Oubaku Zen is comparatively new Buddhism...

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