Jōdo-shū (浄土宗, "The Pure Land School"), is a Japanese branch of
Pure Land Buddhism
Pure Land Buddhism or the Pure Land School ( zh, c=淨土宗, p=Jìngtǔzōng) is a broad branch of Mahayana, Mahayana Buddhism focused on achieving rebirth in a Pure land, Pure Land. It is one of the most widely practiced traditions of East Asi ...
derived from the teachings of the
Kamakura era monk
Hōnen (1133–1212). The school is traditionally considered as having been established in 1175 and is the most widely practiced branch of
Buddhism in Japan
Buddhism was first established in Japan in the 6th century CE. Most of the Japanese Buddhists belong to new schools of Buddhism which were established in the Kamakura period (1185-1333). During the Edo period (1603–1868), Buddhism was cont ...
, along with
Jōdo Shinshū
, also known as Shin Buddhism or True Pure Land Buddhism, is a school of Pure Land Buddhism founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran.
Shin Buddhism is the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan.
History
Shinran (founder)
S ...
. There are various branches of Jōdo-shū, which the largest and most influential ones being
Chinzei-ha and
Seizan-ha.
Jōdo-shū Buddhism focuses exclusively on devotion to
Amitābha Buddha (Amida Nyorai), and its practice is focused on the
Nembutsu
file:玉里華山寺 (21)南無阿彌陀佛古碑.jpg, 250px, Chinese Nianfo carving
The Nianfo ( zh, t=wikt:念佛, 念佛, p=niànfó, alternatively in Japanese language, Japanese ; ; or ) is a Buddhist practice central to East Asian Buddhism. ...
(recitation of Amitābha’s name). As in other forms of Pure Land Buddhism, adherents believe that the faithful recitation of the phrase "
Namu Amida Butsu" (Homage to Amida Buddha) results in birth in the pure land of
Sukhavati
Sukhavati ( IAST: ''Sukhāvatī''; "Blissful"; Chinese: 極樂世界, lit. "realm of ultimate bliss") is the pure land (or buddhafield) of the Buddha Amitābha in Mahayana Buddhism. Sukhavati is also called the Land of Bliss or Western Pure L ...
.
The Jōdo-shū as an independent sect is not to be confused with the term "Jōdo Tradition" (Jōdo-kei, 浄土系) which is used as a classification for "Japanese Pure Land Buddhism" in general. This broader classification would include Jōdo-shū, the
Jōdo Shinshu, the
Ji-shu and the
Yuzu Nembutsu shu.
History
Background
The work of the founder
Hōnen is informed primarily by the Chinese
Pure Land Buddhism
Pure Land Buddhism or the Pure Land School ( zh, c=淨土宗, p=Jìngtǔzōng) is a broad branch of Mahayana, Mahayana Buddhism focused on achieving rebirth in a Pure land, Pure Land. It is one of the most widely practiced traditions of East Asi ...
, especially the work of
Shandao
Shandao (; ; 613–681) was a Chinese Buddhist scholar monk and an influential figure of East Asian Pure Land Buddhism.Jones (2019), pp. 20-21
Shandao was one of the first Pure Land authors to argue that all Pṛthagjana, ordinary people, and e ...
. He was also influenced by the
Tendai school background in which he trained as a monk. The work of
Genshin was also important for
Hōnen, as he was a Japanese Tendai monk who focused on Pure Land practice.
Hōnen's ''Jōdo goso den'' lists five Pure Land patriarchs, all of which informed the thought of
Hōnen to varying degrees. The following five patriarchs are still considered to be the main patriarchs of the Japanese Jōdo-shū school:
#
Tanluan (476–542)
#
Daochuo (562–645)
#
Shandao
Shandao (; ; 613–681) was a Chinese Buddhist scholar monk and an influential figure of East Asian Pure Land Buddhism.Jones (2019), pp. 20-21
Shandao was one of the first Pure Land authors to argue that all Pṛthagjana, ordinary people, and e ...
(613–681)
#
Huaigan (懷感, 7th century)
#
Wulong Shaokang (736–806)
The Founder: Hōnen
Hōnen
Hōnen (法然) was born in 1133, the son of Uruma no Tokikuni of a local ruling family in
Mimasaka Province. After a rival official assassinated his father in 1141, Hōnen was initiated into his uncle's monastery at the age of 9. From then on, Hōnen lived his life as a monk and eventually studied at the famous monastery of
Mount Hiei. He practiced traditional
Tendai Buddhism for some time, but eventually became dissatisfied with it. Influenced by the writings of
Shandao
Shandao (; ; 613–681) was a Chinese Buddhist scholar monk and an influential figure of East Asian Pure Land Buddhism.Jones (2019), pp. 20-21
Shandao was one of the first Pure Land authors to argue that all Pṛthagjana, ordinary people, and e ...
, Hōnen devoted himself solely to
Amitābha
Amitābha (, "Measureless" or "Limitless" Light), also known as Amituofo in Chinese language, Chinese, Amida in Japanese language, Japanese and Öpakmé in Tibetan script, Tibetan, is one of the main Buddhahood, Buddhas of Mahayana, Mahayana Buddh ...
as expressed through the practice of
nembutsu
file:玉里華山寺 (21)南無阿彌陀佛古碑.jpg, 250px, Chinese Nianfo carving
The Nianfo ( zh, t=wikt:念佛, 念佛, p=niànfó, alternatively in Japanese language, Japanese ; ; or ) is a Buddhist practice central to East Asian Buddhism. ...
.
In time, Hōnen gathered disciples from all walks of life, and developed a large following, notably women, who had been excluded from serious Buddhist practice up to this point. This included fishermen, prostitutes, samurai, and fortune tellers. Some of his followers more strictly followed Buddhist
conduct, whereas others assumed they were saved by
Amida Buddha and behaved recklessly, earning criticism from established monastic communities such as
Enryaku-ji and
Kofuku-ji. To counter these criticisms, Honen insisted his followers sign the ''Seven Article Pledge,'' in 1204, pledging not to disparage other sects, and to uphold the Buddha-Dharma. One-hundred and sixty-three followers, including Hōnen's chief disciples, signed the pledge.
In 1207, Kofukuji monks made another petition to the Emperor to ban Hōnen's teaching. Meanwhile, two of Hōnen's disciples, Jūren and Anraku-bō, were caught proselytizing to some of the ladies in waiting of
Emperor Go-Toba
was the 82nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1183 through 1198.
This 12th-century sovereign was named after Emperor Toba, and ''go-'' (後), translates literally as "later"; ...
, who had then decided to take tonsure and leave the service of the Emperor. In anger, the Emperor decreed that Hōnen and several followers be defrocked and sent into exile, while Jūren and Anraku-bō were executed. This is known as the of 1207. Eventually, Hōnen was pardoned and returned to Kyoto in 1211, but died soon after in 1212, just two days after giving his final testament, the ''
One-Sheet Document'' to disciple Genchi.
Early years after Hōnen
The remaining disciples in the
capital collected Hōnen's writings and erected a
mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the burial chamber of a deceased person or people. A mausoleum without the person's remains is called a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type o ...
. His disciples had already begun work on carving Hōnen's magnum opus, his ''
Senchakushū'', into
woodblocks in 1207 for printing. The carving of the blocks was completed in 1211 and the first copied were then printed and distributed publicly.
This was the first printing of the text of a Japanese Buddhist author and it was a big sensation at the time.
During the fifteen years following Hōnen’s passing, three key figures—Ryūkan,
Kōsai, and
Shōku—emerged as leaders of distinct factions within Hōnen’s Pure Land movement. They defended their tradition against opposition from established Buddhist schools, worked to establish the legitimacy of Pure Land teachings, and developed their own interpretations of Hōnen’s doctrine.
[Jodo Shu Research Institute]
The 4 Eras of Honen's Disciples
Ryūkan (1148–1227) emphasized faith in Amida’s vow as the path to salvation and actively defended Hōnen against criticism from Tendai and other sects. Kōsai (1163–1247) promoted the idea that a single recitation of the nembutsu (''ichinen-gi'') was sufficient for birth in the Pure Land, drawing on the doctrine of innate enlightenment (''hongaku''). His radical stance gained followers but also provoked strong opposition, even among Hōnen’s disciples. Shōku (1177–1247) argued that all Buddhist practices serve only as preparatory steps toward the ultimate path of nembutsu recitation (''seizan-gi''), integrating Tendai thought into Pure Land practice. Unlike Ryūkan and Kōsai, Shōku avoided exile during the persecution and led the nembutsu community in Kyoto, where five prominent lineages later emerged.
When Hōnen's work began to circulate in 1227, this further enraged the Tendai monastic community on
Enryaku-ji, who wrote attacks against it. Ryūkan’s defense against Tendai critique of the ''Senchakushū'', resulted in the exile of Ryūkan and Kōsai, and force of
sōhei warrior monks were sent to raid the tomb of Hōnen.
This is known as the Karoku Persecution (karoku no hōgan 嘉禄の法難) of 1227. Hōnen's body and copies of the ''Senchakushū'' were relocated thanks to advance warning, but other writings of Honen's were destroyed, and more disciples were exiled.
In 1239, Hōnen's followers re-carved the ''Senchakushū'' into new woodblocks so they could reprint the text again.
Emergence of distinct lineages
As a result of the persecution of 1207 by order of
Emperor Go-Toba
was the 82nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1183 through 1198.
This 12th-century sovereign was named after Emperor Toba, and ''go-'' (後), translates literally as "later"; ...
, and then the 1227 Karoku Persecution, many of the disciples of Hōnen were exiled to remote provinces (though not all were exiled). Each established a local community in their respective provinces and with nuances in the teachings (''gi'', 義).
During this time, doctrinal debates flourished among Hōnen’s disciples, and his teachings spread across Japan. Shinran and Ryūkan’s followers established nembutsu communities in the
Kantō region
The is a geography, geographical region of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. In a common definition, the region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures of Japan, prefectures: Chiba Prefecture, Chiba, Gunma Prefe ...
, while Benchō strengthened the movement in
Kyūshū
is the third-largest island of Japan's four main islands and the most southerly of the four largest islands (i.e. excluding Okinawa and the other Ryukyu (''Nansei'') Islands). In the past, it has been known as , and . The historical regio ...
, and Kōsai spread Pure Land teachings in
Shikoku
is the smallest of the List of islands of Japan#Main islands, four main islands of Japan. It is long and between at its widest. It has a population of 3.8 million, the least populated of Japan's four main islands. It is south of Honshu ...
. Each disciple maintained a distinct interpretation of Hōnen’s doctrine.
As doctrinal disagreements between Hōnen's disciples Ryūkan, Chōsai,
Kōsai and Shōkú escalated, a major debate occurred between two opposing positions: once-calling (Jp: ''ichinengi'') and many-calling (Jp: ''tanengi''). One-calling (defended by
Kōsai and also accepted by Shinran) held that you only needed to recite nenbutsu once to be liberated, while many-calling held that you needed to recite nenbutsu as much as possible. Hōnen himself promoted sustained practice as taught by many-calling, though he also said that one could be saved by even a few recitations (but this was not an excuse to abandon practice). The mainstream Jōdo-shū tradition follows this view and promotes extensive recitation while also accepting that a single recitation can lead to the Pure Land.
[Jones, Charles B. (2021). ''Pure Land: History, Tradition, and Practice'', pp. 123–135. Shambhala Publications, .][Jodo Shu Research Institute of Buddhism]
Honen's Instructions on Practice
[Piotrowski, Caroline Maria.]
Hōnen's “Lukewarm” Faith: Auxiliary Actions in the Framework of Exclusive Nembutsu
" University of Georgia, 2010.
Kōsai's "single recitation" (''ichinen-gi'') doctrine held that one can attain birth in the Pure Land through one nembutsu in which “the mind of faith (
shinjin) … is in complete accord with the wisdom of the Buddha.”
He, along with
Gyōkū, emphasized faith, not practice, though his view did not mean that he rejected practice after the establishment of true faith. He also emphasized how the most important nembutsu was the non-verbal, mental nembutsu, seeing the vocalization of the nembutsu as secondary to the mind's “psychological experience of nembutsu-
samādhi
Statue of a meditating Rishikesh.html" ;"title="Shiva, Rishikesh">Shiva, Rishikesh
''Samādhi'' (Pali and ), in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, is a state of meditative consciousness. In many Indian religious traditions, the cultivati ...
”.
His teaching may have influenced
Shinran (1173–1262), later recognized as the founder of
Jōdo Shinshū
, also known as Shin Buddhism or True Pure Land Buddhism, is a school of Pure Land Buddhism founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran.
Shin Buddhism is the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan.
History
Shinran (founder)
S ...
(True Pure Land), who also emphasized absolute reliance on Amida’s other-power (''tariki''), rejecting personal effort as a means to salvation. For Shinran, reciting the nembutsu was not a practice to achieve birth in the pure land, but an expression of gratitude for already being saved by Amida.
Shinran also copied and preserved the earliest known compilation of Hōnen’s words, which he titled ''Saihō Shinanshō'' (''A Teaching to the Western Land'', T. 2674).
Over time, Shinran's lineage gradually differed enough from others to be considered a separate tradition altogether, though Shinran did not see himself as founding a separate school in his time.
On the opposite side of the debate was
Ryūkan, one of Honen's more elderly disciples, who emphasized the efficacy of the nembutsu as a constant practice and encouraged its frequent recitation, leading to his teachings being called the "many callings school" or ''tanen-gi'' (多念義).
For
Ryūkan, constant recitation throughout one's life is what allowed one to attain birth in the Pure Land through the final moment at death by Amida's power.
He was eventually exiled to eastern Japan during the 1227 persecution, where he died en route.
Shōkōbō
Benchō (1162–1238), the main figure of the Chinzei lineage, was another supporter of the tanen-gi doctrine who criticized the supporters of ichinen-gi and their supposed immorality.
He also advocated a balanced practice that included nembutsu and auxiliary practices. Benchō categorized Buddhist practices as either a general form of nembutsu (''sō no nembutsu'') or the specific practice of reciting Amida’s name (''betsu no nembutsu''), arguing that the latter ultimately encompasses all other Buddhist practices. Drawing from the ''
Daichido-ron'', he wrote extensively to systematize Hōnen’s teachings, notably in ''Matsudai Nembutsu Jushuin'' and ''Tetsu Senchakushū''.
Shōku
Shōku (1177 –1247) remained in Kyoto as the primary leader of Hōnen’s followers, guiding various groups despite brief periods of suppression in 1235 and 1240, which were less severe than the earlier persecutions.
Shōku's doctrine was called "unvarnished nembutsu", which taught that the simple recitation of nembutsu without any influences was effective for birth, but he also made room for the auxiliary Pure Land practices and miscellaneous practices which could "color" the nembutsu (even if they were not necessary). He saw other practices as able to be included within the nembutsu (which could never be harmed or ruined by them), a doctrine called “harmonizing of other practices within the nembutsu.”
He also taught that self-power and other-power were not mutually exclusive.
His lineage became known as Seizan-ha.
Only two Jōdo-shū lineages (apart from Shinshu) survive today: the Chinzei-ha branch of
Benchō and the Seizan-ha branch of
Shōku (with 3 sub-branches). Other offshoots such as
Jōdo Shinshū
, also known as Shin Buddhism or True Pure Land Buddhism, is a school of Pure Land Buddhism founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran.
Shin Buddhism is the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan.
History
Shinran (founder)
S ...
and the
Ji-shū sects are considered different enough to be separate schools from Jodo-shū. The largest branch of Jōdo-shū today is the , named after the district of Chinzei in
Kitakyushu
is a Cities of Japan, city located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of June 1, 2019, Kitakyushu has an estimated population of 940,978, making it the second-largest city in both Fukuoka Prefecture and the island of Kyushu after the city of Fuk ...
, the hometown of Benchō. The and Kuhon-ji branches grew around the capitol of
Kyoto
Kyoto ( or ; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's largest and most populous island of Honshu. , the city had a population of 1.46 million, making it t ...
, as Shōkū and Chōsai were among the few major disciples who were not exiled.
Main lineages and disciples
Other disciples of note:
* Genchi, Honen's disciple and personal attendant who stayed in
Kyoto
Kyoto ( or ; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's largest and most populous island of Honshu. , the city had a population of 1.46 million, making it t ...
. Later, met Ryōchū in 1248, and agreed to merge with the Chinzei branch after reaching an accord.
Was Hōnen's witness when he dictated the
One-Sheet Document, his final testament.
* Shinkū, helped to establish Hōnen's mausoleum, and later protect its relics during the persecution of 1227.
* Chōsai, the last of Hōnen's direct disciples. Where Honen and other Pure Land followers focused on the 18th, or
Primal Vow, of
Amida Buddha, Chōsai felt that the 20th Vow of the
Immeasurable Life Sutra also applied, and thus taught that other practices in Buddhism would lead to birth in the Pure Land. This was the teaching. Founder of the ''Kuhonji-gi'' branch (九品寺義), based around Kuhonji temple in Kyoto.
*
Kujō Kanezane, an influential of the
Fujiwara Clan
The was a powerful family of imperial regents in Japan, descending from the Nakatomi clan and, as legend held, through them their ancestral god Ame-no-Koyane. The Fujiwara prospered since ancient times and dominated the imperial court until th ...
, he helped defend and protect Hōnen from some political persecution. A number of letters and poetry exchanged Hōnen and Kanezane have been preserved.
* Awanosuke (阿波介), the
fortune-teller, is credited with the double-stranded
Buddhist prayer beads used in Jōdo-shū, though he did not establish a branch of his own.
Rise of the Chinzei and Seizan mainstream sects

A generation later, Bencho's disciple,
Ryōchū (1199–1287), became his disciple for a year, and then spread Benchō's and Hōnen's teachings throughout Japan before reaching the new capital at
Kamakura
, officially , is a city of Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan. It is located in the Kanto region on the island of Honshu. The city has an estimated population of 172,929 (1 September 2020) and a population density of 4,359 people per km2 over the tota ...
. Ryōchū helped to legitimize the "
Chinzei branch" of Jōdo-shū as the mainstream one, and is credited as the 3rd Patriarch accordingly. He also referred to Benchō, his teacher, as the 2nd Patriarch after Hōnen.
Ryōchū's teaching was in direct opposition to those of another teacher popular at the time, Chōsai.
Chōsai (1199–1287), drawing on the ''
Sutra of Immeasurable Life'', maintained that all Buddhist practices, not just the nembutsu, could lead to birth in the Pure Land. This perspective, known as the "doctrine of various practices corresponding to the original vow" (''shōgyō hongan-gi''), held that Amida Buddha had designated multiple Buddhist practices, alongside the nembutsu, as valid paths to the Pure Land. However, this interpretation faced strong opposition from other lineages of Hōnen’s disciples, who saw it as straying from their teacher’s core teachings. Despite this criticism, Chōsai’s approach gained acceptance among established Buddhist schools such as Tendai and Shingon, leading to a significant increase in his followers.
Ryōchū directly challenged Chōsai’s view, arguing that only the nembutsu aligned with Amida’s original vow, and that other Buddhist practices were not inherently conducive to rebirth in the Pure Land. However, he also opposed Shōku’s strict stance that all other Buddhist practices were completely ineffective for achieving rebirth. While rejecting the idea that non-nembutsu practices corresponded to Amida’s vow, Ryōchū nonetheless acknowledged that they could still play a role in reaching the Pure Land. Ryōchū dedicated himself to solidifying the Chinzei doctrine, defending Benchō’s interpretation while refuting the positions of Chōsai and Shōku.
While in Kyoto, Ryōchū gave a series of influential lectures in which he argued that the nembutsu teaching supplanted and surpassed the "
perfect precepts" of Tendai. He also argued that the nembutsu was a kind of voluntary confession, seeing each recitation of Amida’s name as spontaneously evoking a sense of repentance, leading naturally to the purification of past karmic transgressions.
Ryōchū also met with Renjaku-bo, whose own teacher Genchi, had been another disciple of Hōnen. Renjaku-bo felt that Genchi and Benchō had been in complete agreement, so he willingly united his lineage with Ryōchū's, helping to further increase its standing.
Jōdo Shū through the Chinzei lineage continued to develop until the 8th Patriarch,
Shōgei (聖冏, 1341-1420) who formalized the training of priests (previously Jodo priests had to train under Tendai or
Shingon
is one of the major schools of Buddhism in Japan and one of the few surviving Vajrayana lineages in East Asian Buddhism. It is a form of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism and is sometimes called "Tōmitsu" (東密 lit. "Esoteric uddhismof Tō- ...
lineages), thus formally establishing it as an independent sect. Before this, the Jōdo-shū were not formally independent, instead being more of a faction (''ha'') within the Tendai school.
[Jones, Charles B. (2021). ''Pure Land: History, Tradition, and Practice'', pp. 123–135. Shambhala Publications, .]
Meanwhile, Kenni (1238–1304), a disciple of Ryūshin, was instrumental in systematizing doctrine of Shōku’s Seizan school, especially the ''Fukakusa'' doctrine. Regarding Ryōchū as a rival, his work criticizes his views without naming him.
Kenni composed the ''Kaijōki'', a thirty six fascicle commentary to the ''Contemplation Sutra''. Along with Ryōchū’s (1199–1287) ''Dentsūki'', it is one of the most significant commentaries to this sutra written in the Kamakura period.
[Chen Minling. A Debate Between Ken’i’s ''Kaijōki'' and Song-Dynasty Tiantai Pure Land Thought]
顕意『楷定記』と宋代天台浄土教との対論. 印度學佛敎學硏究第 65 巻第 1 号 平成 28 年 12 月
Kenni's thought integrates Pure Land thought with the philosophy of the Chinese
Tiantai school and his commentary quotes numerous Song dynasty Tiantai scholars extensively.
Kenni also argued that Pure Land Buddhism was the “True School of the One Vehicle” (''Ichijō Shinshū'' 一乗真宗), identifying the
one vehicle teaching with the power of the Buddha. Kenni argued that the teaching of
other-power was taught in all major sutras and that all Buddhist practices ultimately relied upon it. Kenni thus stresses that other-power is not confined to Pure Land teachings but is a foundational element across all of Buddhism.
It was also during this period that
Ippen (1239–1289), initially a Seizan school monk, was active and established his Ji-shū sect.
Edo Period
Shiba by Kobayashi Mango (Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art)">Zōjō-ji by Kobayashi Mango (Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art)
In 1590, during the
Azuchi–Momoyama period, Jōdo-shū was officially patronized by
Tokugawa Ieyasu
Tokugawa Ieyasu (born Matsudaira Takechiyo; 31 January 1543 – 1 June 1616) was the founder and first ''shōgun'' of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan, which ruled from 1603 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was the third of the three "Gr ...
,
leading to an era of great prosperity for the sect that lasted throughout the
Edo period
The , also known as the , is the period between 1600 or 1603 and 1868 in the history of Japan, when the country was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and some 300 regional ''daimyo'', or feudal lords. Emerging from the chaos of the Sengok ...
and beyond. Due to this prosperity, Jōdo-shū would become the largest Buddhist sect, both in terms of population and influence, throughout the entire Edo period.
In a coordinated effort with the
Tokugawa Shogunate
The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the was the military government of Japan during the Edo period from 1603 to 1868.
The Tokugawa shogunate was established by Tokugawa Ieyasu after victory at the Battle of Sekigahara, ending the civil wars ...
, the Jōdo sect was heavily influential in the conversion and suppression of
Christians
A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the world. The words '' Christ'' and ''C ...
in the Edo period through monks such as
Banzui'i.
Zōjō-ji in
Edo, previously a
Shingon
is one of the major schools of Buddhism in Japan and one of the few surviving Vajrayana lineages in East Asian Buddhism. It is a form of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism and is sometimes called "Tōmitsu" (東密 lit. "Esoteric uddhismof Tō- ...
temple, was converted to a Jōdo-shū temple, and this became the family temple of the
Tokugawa clan, receiving considerable patronage. Several
shogun
, officially , was the title of the military aristocracy, rulers of Japan during most of the period spanning from 1185 to 1868. Nominally appointed by the Emperor of Japan, Emperor, shoguns were usually the de facto rulers of the country, exc ...
s of the Tokugawa family are still interred in mausoleums at Zōjō-ji, though Ieyasu himself is interred at the
Nikkō Tōshō-gū shrine.
Meiji Period
The
Meiji Restoration
The , referred to at the time as the , and also known as the Meiji Renovation, Revolution, Regeneration, Reform, or Renewal, was a political event that restored Imperial House of Japan, imperial rule to Japan in 1868 under Emperor Meiji. Althoug ...
of 1868 marked a tumultuous period for Japanese Buddhism. The separation of Shinto and Buddhism unintentionally triggered the
haibutsu kishaku (literally "abolish
Buddhism
Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...
and destroy
Shākyamuni" campaign), a nationwide movement targeting Buddhist institutions, in which temples were demolished, their properties revoked, and their monks forcibly defrocked.
Jōdo-shū, having formerly received considerable patronage from the
Tokugawa Shogunate
The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the was the military government of Japan during the Edo period from 1603 to 1868.
The Tokugawa shogunate was established by Tokugawa Ieyasu after victory at the Battle of Sekigahara, ending the civil wars ...
, now embarked on a period of internal reform in which several monks emerged as important reformers, such as
Yamazaki Ben'nei,
Tetsujō Ukai, and
Fukuda Gyōkai.
Among these reformers was Tetsujō Ukai (養鸕徹定), a Buddhist historian and the head priest of
Chion-in from 1885 to 1887. He became a staunch defender of Buddhism during this period, opposing both the attempts to eradicate Buddhism in Japan and the rise of Western criticism aimed at the religion. He also emphasized the importance of Buddhism in Japanese history and culture, underscoring its contributions to the nation's history.
Another important figure within the reform movement was Fukuda Gyōkai (福田行誡), a Buddhist scholar, poet, and the head priest of Chion-in from 1887 to 1888. He promoted both the preservation of Buddhist traditions and the modernization of social welfare systems based on
Buddhist philosophy
Buddhist philosophy is the ancient Indian Indian philosophy, philosophical system that developed within the religio-philosophical tradition of Buddhism. It comprises all the Philosophy, philosophical investigations and Buddhist logico-episte ...
. He also promoted the creation of the League of United Buddhist Sects (諸宗同徳会盟), which united several Buddhist sects to follow the goals of modernization and preventing
Christian
A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...
influences on Japan.
Shōwa Period
Before and during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, Jōdo-shū, along with other Buddhist sects, faced pressure to endorse the actions of
Imperial Japan
The Empire of Japan, also known as the Japanese Empire or Imperial Japan, was the Japanese nation state that existed from the Meiji Restoration on January 3, 1868, until the Constitution of Japan took effect on May 3, 1947. From Japan–Kor ...
and its policy of
State Shintō. Despite the protests of certain members of the sect, the Jōdo-shū organization nevertheless complied with the policy of State Shintō. This included building several temples within Japan’s
overseas colonies (all of which would later be destroyed in the years following the war) and providing memorial services to deceased soldiers as well as relief for their families. The school subsequently apologized for its wartime actions alongside the other Buddhist sects of Japan.
After the Second World War, during the 1940s and early 1950s, several temples broke off from the main Chinzei Branch of Jōdo-shū, forming their own independent sects. However, this period of fragmentation proved to be relatively short-lived. In January 1961, on the 750th anniversary of Hōnen’s death, the majority of the breakaway sects of Jōdo-shū merged back into the primary
Chinzei branch, which remains the largest branch of Jōdo-shū in the modern day.
Geographic distribution

Although Jōdo-shū is mainly found in Japan, a sizable Jōdo-shū community exists in
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; ) is an island U.S. state, state of the United States, in the Pacific Ocean about southwest of the U.S. mainland. One of the two Non-contiguous United States, non-contiguous U.S. states (along with Alaska), it is the only sta ...
as well as a few temples in the continental
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
and
Brazil
Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...
. The first Jōdo-shū temple built in Hawai'i was the Hāmākua Bukkyo Kaido, constructed in 1896 under the supervision of Reverend Gakuo Okabe. The head temple of the Jōdo sect in Hawaii is the
Jodo Mission of Hawaii in
Honolulu
Honolulu ( ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, located in the Pacific Ocean. It is the county seat of the Consolidated city-county, consolidated City and County of Honol ...
, founded in 1907 and moved to its current location in 1932. The Jodo Shu North America Buddhist Missions was the first Jōdo-shū temple to be built in mainland America in 1936 in
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
.
Doctrine
Pure Land Buddhist teachings had been prevalent in Japan for centuries, particularly in the
Tendai sect through
Ennin,
Genshin, and others, but what distinguished Hōnen's teaching was the notion , whereby the only true means of achieving rebirth in the Pure Land was through reciting the
nembutsu
file:玉里華山寺 (21)南無阿彌陀佛古碑.jpg, 250px, Chinese Nianfo carving
The Nianfo ( zh, t=wikt:念佛, 念佛, p=niànfó, alternatively in Japanese language, Japanese ; ; or ) is a Buddhist practice central to East Asian Buddhism. ...
. In particular, Hōnen argued that it was through
Amida Buddha's merit and compassion that one achieved rebirth, and since the nembutsu was explicitly called out in the
Immeasurable Life Sutra in the 18th Vow (also known as the
Primal Vow), it was the only practice that would work, especially in the latter age of ''Decline of the Dharma, mappō'', when people could no longer effectively put the teachings of the The Buddha, Buddha into practice anymore. Other practices would neither add nor detract from Amida Buddha's power.
Toward the end of the ''
Immeasurable Life Sutra'' is the following passage:
Since the Jōdo-shū school was founded near the end of the Heian period, when Buddhism in Japan had become deeply involved in political schemes, and some in Japan saw monks flaunting wealth and power, it was felt that society had already reached the era of latter days of the Dharma, and that, based on the passage above, all other practices had ceased to have any efficacy.
Further, Hōnen sought to provide people a simple Buddhist practice that anybody could use toward Enlightenment in Buddhism, enlightenment, no matter how degenerate the times because he was concerned that many people were excluded from existing sects:
Since, according to Hōnen's line of reasoning, salvation was mostly due to Amida Buddha's power, there was no reason why anyone who sincerely recited the ''nembutsu'' couldn't be reborn in the Pure Land.
Practice
Recitation of the nembutsu, lit. , is the most fundamental practice of Jōdo-shū, which derives from the
Primal Vow of Amitābha. In home practice, or in temple liturgy, the nembutsu may be recited in any number of styles including:
* – reciting the nembutsu ten times, with eight recitations of "Namu Amida Bu," followed by one "Namu Amida Butsu," and one final drawn out "Namu Amida Bu," accompanied by a bow.
* – reciting the nembutsu as many times as possible in a sitting, regardless of number.
* – style involving three drawn-out recitations of the nembutsu, followed by a bow. This is repeated twice more for a total of nine recitations.
However, in addition to this, practitioners are encouraged to engage in "auxiliary" practices, such as observing the five precepts, Buddhist meditation, meditation, the chanting of sutras, and other good conduct. There is no strict rule on this however, as Jōdo-shū stresses that the compassion of Amitābha is extended to all beings who recite the nembutsu, so how one observes auxiliary practices is left to the individual to decide. Furthermore, Jōdo-shū practitioners are allowed to worship kami and visit Shinto shrines as long as they do not worship the kami as a means to enter the Pure Land.
Jōdo-shū also hosts a circuit pilgrimage of 25 Sacred Sites that Hōnen visited throughout his life, as well as temples that are important to the sect.
Scripture

Of the entire Buddhist canon, ''
Sutra of Immeasurable Life'' is the central Buddhist scripture for Jōdo-shū, and the foundation of the belief in the
Primal Vow of
Amida Buddha. In addition to this, the ''Amitāyus Contemplation Sūtra, Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra'' and the ''Amitābha Sūtra'' are important to the Jōdo-shū school. Collectively, these are known as the .
Further, the writings of Hōnen, are another source for Jōdo-shū thought. The most central of his works include the ''Senchakushū, Senchaku Hongan Nembutsushū'' (often abbreviated to ''Senchakushū'') and the . Most of what is known about Honen and his thought is attributed through sayings collected in the following century, the ''Senchakushū'', and letters to his students and disciples. The One-Sheet Document is also read aloud in daily services as part of Jōdo-shū liturgy.
Head Temples and Clergy
Jōdo-shū, like other Buddhist schools, maintains a professional, monastic priesthood, based on the parent
Tendai-sect monastic organization, with two "head temples", one at
Chion-in in
Kyoto
Kyoto ( or ; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's largest and most populous island of Honshu. , the city had a population of 1.46 million, making it t ...
, and one at Zojoji in Tokyo. The head of the Jōdo-shū school is called the ''monshu'' in Japanese, and lives at the head temple of Chion-in. For the Seizan branch, there are three sub-branches, each with their own head temple.
References
Literature
* Blum, Mark L. ''The Origins and Development of Pure Land Buddhism: a Study and Translation of Gyōnen's Jōdo Hōmon Genrushō.'' Oxford, New York, Oxford University Press, 2002.
* Matsunaga, Daigan, and Alicia Matsunaga. ''Foundation of Japanese buddhism, Vol. 2: The Mass Movement (Kamakura and Muromachi Periods).'' Los Angeles, Tokyo, Buddhist Books International, 1990.
* ''The Three Pure Land Sutras.'' Rev. 2nd ed. Translated by Hisao Inagaki with Harold Stewart, Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2003.
PDF
External links
English Language Site for Jodo Shu- The official website for Jodo Shu. Also contains information on Pure Land Buddhism in general.
- Responsible for providing research and English-language resources on Jodo Shu, as well as publications.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jodo Shu
Jōdo-shū,
1175 establishments in Asia
Schools of Buddhism founded in Japan
Pure Land Buddhism
12th-century establishments in Japan