Shoku
Encyclopedia
, sometimes called was a disciple of Hōnen, founder of the Jōdo shū
Buddhist sect. Shoku later succeeded another disciple of Hōnen, Jōhen as the head of a former Shingon Buddhist temple, Eikandō
, established a separate branch of Jōdo shū
called the Seizan
branch (after its namesake), and completed the transition of Eikandō from a Shingon temple into a Jōdo shū
one.
, which convinced her that he should be a priest. It was then that Shoku studied under Hōnen for 23 years. Later in life, he became a disciple of Jōhen, who had recently converted from the Shingon faith to the Jōdo shū
faith, subsequently converting the Eikandō
as well. Later Shoku took over as head of this temple, and fully converted the temple into a Jōdo shū temple, and began the Seizan
branch.
After Hōnen had died, Shoku also studied Tendai
and esoteric Shingon Buddhism extensively with a focus on Pure Land
teachings and practices. He wrote an extensive commentary on the Taima Mandala
at the invitation of the head priest of Taima-dera
temple.
The temple biography mentions that Shoku was very intense in his study and practice, and would recite the nembutsu up to 60,000 times a day, in addition to other ascetic practices. Shoku described his practice of the nembutsu as Shiraki no Nembutsu, meaning that after studying the Buddhist sutras
extensively, and engaging in other Buddhist practices, one should then recite the nembutsu with their whole heart. This echoes the words of Hōnen where one should study Buddhist teachings, but then return to the humble self to be saved by Amida
Buddha.
This approach to Pure Land Buddhism won favor among the established Tendai
sects, and so Shoku was one of the few of Hōnen's disciples who was not exiled or executed in the year 1227, during the Karoku Persecution.
Jodo Shu
, also known as Jōdo Buddhism, is a branch of Pure Land Buddhism derived from the teachings of the Japanese ex-Tendai monk Hōnen. It was established in 1175 and is the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan, along with Jōdo Shinshū....
Buddhist sect. Shoku later succeeded another disciple of Hōnen, Jōhen as the head of a former Shingon Buddhist temple, Eikandō
Eikan-do Zenrin-ji
For other temples by similar names, see Zenrin-ji.Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji is the head temple for the Seizan branch of Japan's Jōdo shū Buddhist sect, located in the town of Eikandō, in Kyoto's Sakyō-ku...
, established a separate branch of Jōdo shū
Jodo Shu
, also known as Jōdo Buddhism, is a branch of Pure Land Buddhism derived from the teachings of the Japanese ex-Tendai monk Hōnen. It was established in 1175 and is the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan, along with Jōdo Shinshū....
called the Seizan
Seizan
Seizan is the name of the branch of Jōdo shū Buddhism that was founded by Hōnen's disciple, Shōkū. Shōkū often went by the name Seizan as well, however the name derives from the western mountains of Kyoto where Shōkū often dwelt. The main temple of this branch of Buddhism is at the temple of...
branch (after its namesake), and completed the transition of Eikandō from a Shingon temple into a Jōdo shū
Jodo Shu
, also known as Jōdo Buddhism, is a branch of Pure Land Buddhism derived from the teachings of the Japanese ex-Tendai monk Hōnen. It was established in 1175 and is the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan, along with Jōdo Shinshū....
one.
Biography
According to the temple's biography, Shoku was born into a noble family, but by 14 years of age took an interest in Buddhism. In one legend, his mother stood before a famous bridge to have his fortune told. At that time, a monk passed by chanting the Lotus SutraLotus Sutra
The Lotus Sūtra is one of the most popular and influential Mahāyāna sūtras, and the basis on which the Tiantai and Nichiren sects of Buddhism were established.-Title:...
, which convinced her that he should be a priest. It was then that Shoku studied under Hōnen for 23 years. Later in life, he became a disciple of Jōhen, who had recently converted from the Shingon faith to the Jōdo shū
Jodo Shu
, also known as Jōdo Buddhism, is a branch of Pure Land Buddhism derived from the teachings of the Japanese ex-Tendai monk Hōnen. It was established in 1175 and is the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan, along with Jōdo Shinshū....
faith, subsequently converting the Eikandō
Eikan-do Zenrin-ji
For other temples by similar names, see Zenrin-ji.Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji is the head temple for the Seizan branch of Japan's Jōdo shū Buddhist sect, located in the town of Eikandō, in Kyoto's Sakyō-ku...
as well. Later Shoku took over as head of this temple, and fully converted the temple into a Jōdo shū temple, and began the Seizan
Seizan
Seizan is the name of the branch of Jōdo shū Buddhism that was founded by Hōnen's disciple, Shōkū. Shōkū often went by the name Seizan as well, however the name derives from the western mountains of Kyoto where Shōkū often dwelt. The main temple of this branch of Buddhism is at the temple of...
branch.
After Hōnen had died, Shoku also studied Tendai
Tendai
is a Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism, a descendant of the Chinese Tiantai or Lotus Sutra school.Chappell frames the relevance of Tendai for a universal Buddhism:- History :...
and esoteric Shingon Buddhism extensively with a focus on Pure Land
Pure land
A pure land, in Mahayana Buddhism, is the celestial realm or pure abode of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. The various traditions that focus on Pure Lands have been given the nomenclature Pure Land Buddhism. Pure lands are also evident in the literature and traditions of Taoism and Bön.The notion of 'pure...
teachings and practices. He wrote an extensive commentary on the Taima Mandala
Taima Mandala
The Taima Mandala is a mandala in Japanese Pure Land Buddhism. The original copy of the mandala is still housed in the Taima-dera temple in Nara, Japan, and was woven approximately around 763. The mandala is appointed as a national treasure of Japan on April 27, 1961. Many copies have been made...
at the invitation of the head priest of Taima-dera
Taima-dera
Taima-dera is a Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan built originally in 612 by the Imperial Prince Maroko, the brother of Prince Shotoku. The temple was moved to its present location in 681 by the grandson of Prince Maroko, and serves as the head temple, or honzan of the now-defunct Hosso sect...
temple.
The temple biography mentions that Shoku was very intense in his study and practice, and would recite the nembutsu up to 60,000 times a day, in addition to other ascetic practices. Shoku described his practice of the nembutsu as Shiraki no Nembutsu, meaning that after studying the Buddhist sutras
Sutra
Sūtra is an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Literally it means a thread or line that holds things together and is derived from the verbal root siv-, meaning to sew , as does the medical term...
extensively, and engaging in other Buddhist practices, one should then recite the nembutsu with their whole heart. This echoes the words of Hōnen where one should study Buddhist teachings, but then return to the humble self to be saved by Amida
Amida
Amida can mean:* Amitabha, an important Buddha in East Asian Buddhism* Amida , a beetle genus* Amida Buddha* Amidah, the central prayer of the Jewish services* Amidakuji, a way of drawing lots* Amitabh Bachchan, an actor...
Buddha.
This approach to Pure Land Buddhism won favor among the established Tendai
Tendai
is a Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism, a descendant of the Chinese Tiantai or Lotus Sutra school.Chappell frames the relevance of Tendai for a universal Buddhism:- History :...
sects, and so Shoku was one of the few of Hōnen's disciples who was not exiled or executed in the year 1227, during the Karoku Persecution.