Monshu

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The Monshu (門主 in Japanese), or keeper of the gate is a term used in Japanese Buddhism used to sometimes denote the head of a monastery, as in the case of Jōdo Shū and Tendai Buddhism, but in the case of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism, it refers to the head of the sect, and direct descendant of its founder Shinran.

[edit] Jōdo Shinshū

The Monshu in Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism being the guardian of Shinran's mausoleum, as well as the head of the sect started when the youngest daughter of Shinran, Kakushinni, installed her son to be the custodian of the small shrine which held Shinran's image and ashes.

In time the small shrine grew into what is now the Hongan-ji temples (east and west) in Kyoto, Japan.

In the line of Monshu descendants, noteworthy Monshū include Rennyo Shōnin, the 8th Monshu, Junnyo Shōnin who build the Tsukiji Hongan-ji temple, and the 23rd Monshu, Shonyō Shōnin. Shonyō Shōnin was noteworthy for his efforts to help spread Jōdo Shinshū teachings abroad.

As of writing, the current Monshu is Sokunyo Shōnin (born 1945).