Changes

Shinran was initially trained at [[Mt. Hiei]], in the orthodox dogma of the [[Tendai]] sect. However, he began to feel that, as a human being, he was irrevocably flawed, and thus unable to truly achieve enlightenment. Turning to the teachings of [[Honen|Hônen]] of the Pure Land sect (''[[Jodo shu|Jôdo shû]]''), he explored the idea of reciting ''[[nenbutsu]]'' (chanting the name of [[Amida Buddha]]) as an avenue to salvation; however, as the chanting of ''nenbutsu'' is also a matter of human effort, and as humans are flawed and incapable of performing perfectly to the utmost, this too presented difficulties for Shinran. He then considered, or discovered, the notion that entrance into the Pure Land is not something earned through human effort, but is something granted, compassionately, by Amida Buddha.

Shinran was initially trained at [[Mt. Hiei]], in the orthodox dogma of the [[Tendai]] sect. However, he began to feel that, as a human being, he was irrevocably flawed, and thus unable to truly achieve enlightenment. Turning to the teachings of [[Honen|Hônen]] of the Pure Land sect (''[[Jodo shu|Jôdo shû]]''), he explored the idea of reciting ''[[nenbutsu]]'' (chanting the name of [[Amida Buddha]]) as an avenue to salvation; however, as the chanting of ''nenbutsu'' is also a matter of human effort, and as humans are flawed and incapable of performing perfectly to the utmost, this too presented difficulties for Shinran. He then considered, or discovered, the notion that entrance into the Pure Land is not something earned through human effort, but is something granted, compassionately, by Amida Buddha.

Exiled for his heterodox teachings, Shinran came to abandon most elements of traditional monastic practice, as Hônen had advocated - he even married a woman, and had children - believing that salvation is not something attained through efforts and practices, but something granted through compassion. His new "True Pure Land sect" (''Jôdo-shinshû''), said to have been founded in [[1224]], thus emphasized the importance of ''faith''.

Exiled for his heterodox teachings, Shinran came to abandon most elements of traditional monastic practice, as Hônen had advocated - he ate meat, and even married a woman, Eshinni, and had children - believing that salvation is not something attained through efforts and practices, but something granted through compassion. The couple were supported by Eshinni's inheritance while Shinran pursued his religious activities. His new "True Pure Land sect" (''Jôdo-shinshû''), said to have been founded in [[1224]], thus emphasized the importance of ''faith'' over ritual action.

Following his death, Shinran was cremated; two temples in Kyoto, [[Otani honbyo|Ôtani honbyô]] and [[Otani sobyo|Ôtani sobyô]], claim to hold portions of his remains.

Following his death, Shinran was cremated; two temples in Kyoto, [[Otani honbyo|Ôtani honbyô]] and [[Otani sobyo|Ôtani sobyô]], claim to hold portions of his remains.

==References==

==References==

*“Amida, The Pure Land, and the Response of the Old Buddhism to the New,” in Wm. Theodore De Bary, Donald Keene, George Tanabe, and Paul Varley eds., ''Sources of Japanese Tradition'', Second Edition, Columbia University Press (2001), 215-216.  

*“Amida, The Pure Land, and the Response of the Old Buddhism to the New,” in Wm. Theodore De Bary, Donald Keene, George Tanabe, and Paul Varley eds., ''Sources of Japanese Tradition'', Second Edition, Columbia University Press (2001), 215-216.  

[[Category:Religious Figures]]

[[Category:Religious Figures]]

[[Category:Kamakura Period]]

[[Category:Kamakura Period]]