Jodo Shu
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- For other uses, see Jodo (disambiguation).
Jōdo shū (浄土宗 "The Pure Land School"), also known as Jodo Buddhism, is a branch of Pure Land Buddhism derived from the teachings of the Japanese ex-Tendai monk Honen. It was established in 1175 and is the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan, along with Jodo Shinshu.
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[edit] The Founder: Honen
Honen was the son of a prominent family in Japan, who's ancestry could be traced back to silk merchants from China. Honen was originally named Seishi-maru after the bodhisattva Seishi (Mahasthamaprapta in Sanskrit). After his father was assassinated in 1141 by a rival, Honen, then age 9, was initiated into his uncle's monastery. From then on, Honen lived his life as a monk, and eventually studied at the famous monastery of Mount Hiei.
Honen was well-respected for his knowledge, and for his adherence to the Five Precepts, but in time, Honen became dissatisfied with the Tendai Buddhist teachings he learned at Mount Hiei. Influenced by the writings of Shan Tao, Honen devoted himself solely to Amida Buddha, as expressed through the nembutsu.
In time, Honen 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. Honen also distinguished himself by not discriminating against women who were menstruating, who were thought at the time to be unclean. All of this caused concern among the religious and political elite of Kyoto and eventually Honen was exiled to a remote part of Japan, and given a criminal's name. Some of Honen's followers were executed while others, such as Shinran, were exiled to other regions of Japan.
Eventually, Honen was pardoned, but died soon after.
[edit] Doctrine
Jodo Shu is heavily influenced by the idea of mappo or "Dharma Decline". The concept of mappo is that the Dharma, the Teachings of Shakyamui Buddha, have weakened and corrupted so much over time, that Enlightenment is all but impossible through one's own efforts. The Jodo Shu school was founded near the end of the Heian Period when Buddhism in Japan had becomed deeply involved in political schemes, and some in Japan saw monks flaunting wealth and power.
Jodo Shu sought to provide people a simple Buddhist practice, that commoners, normally excluded from Buddhism, could use toward Enlightenment: Devotion to Amida Buddha as expressed in the nembutsu. The idea is that through Amida's compassion, a being may be reborn in the Pure Land (Sukhavati in Sanskrit), where they can pursue Enlightenment more readily.
Repetition of the nembutsu is a common feature of Jodo Shu, which derives from the Primal Vow of Amitabha Buddha. The Primal Vow in turn comes from the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life, which is the central Buddhist scripture for Jodo Shu Buddhism. In addition to the Larger Sutra, the Contemplation Sutra and the Amitabha Sutra are important to the Jodo Shu school.
Jodo Shu, like other Buddhist schools, maintains a professional, monastic priesthood, who help to lead the congregation, and also maintain the well-known temples such as Chion-in. The head of the Jodo Shu school is called the monshu in Japanese, and lives at the head temple in Kyoto, Japan, Chion-in Temple.
[edit] Jodu-Shu and Jodo-Shinshu
There are just a couple of differences between Jodo Shu and Jodo Shinshu, the latter being the most significant.
- 1. In Jodo Shu Buddhism salvation is had through mere repetitive recitation of Amitabah Buddha's name. In Jodo Shinshu (founded by Honen's disciple Shinran Shonin), emphasis is placed upon faith in Amida Buddha and not necessarily the recitation of Amida's name[1].
- 2. Additionally, Jodo Shu teaches that good deeds will help ensure a practioners entrance into the Pure Land. However, Jodo Shin Shu teaches that so long as the person has solid faith in Amida that this will be enough (for recent developments on this concept, see The Dobokai Movement[1].
[edit] Sub-sects
There are two, arguably three, sub-sects of Jodo Shu. The main branch of Jodo Shu was maintained by the so-called "Second Patriarch", Shoko, a disciple of Honen. Another disciple, Shoku founded the Seizan branch of Jodo Shu.
Another disciple, Shinran founded the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism, which diverges somewhat doctrinally, but otherwise is heavily influenced by Honen and his teachings. In Jodo Shinshu, Honen is considered the Seventh Patriarch. Depending on one's viewpoint, Shinran and Jodo Shinshu may be considered a third branch.
[edit] Geographic Distribution
Although Jodo Shu is mainly found in Japan, a sizable Jodo Shu community exists in Hawaii as well as a few temples in the continental United States.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Popular Buddhism In Japan: Shin Buddhist Religion & Culture by Esben Andreasen, pp. 56-57 University of Hawaii Press 1998, ISBN 0-8248-2028-2
[edit] External links
- English Language Site for Jodo Shu - The official website for Jodo Shu. Also contains information on Pure Land Buddhism in general.
