Rennyo and the Roots of Modern Japanese Buddhism

. Ed(s): Blum, Mark L.; Yasutomi, Shinya

ISBN 10: 0195132750 / ISBN 13: 9780195132755

Published by Oxford University Press Inc, 2005

About this Item

Rennyo Shonin (1415-1499) is considered the 'second founder' of Shin Buddhism. This book deals with the major questions surrounding the phenomenal growth of Hongaji under Rennyo's leadership, such as the source of charisma, the soteriological implications of his thought against the background of other movements in Pure Land Buddhism, and more. Editor(s): Blum, Mark L.; Yasutomi, Shinya. Num Pages: 320 pages, 2 pp colourplates, 4 pp halftone plates. BIC Classification: HRAX; HRE. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational. Dimension: 243 x 163 x 24. Weight in Grams: 606. . 2005. Hardback. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.

Seller Inventory # V9780195132755

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Rennyo and the Roots of Modern Japanese Buddhism
• Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195132750
• ISBN 13: 9780195132755
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Rennyo Shonin (1415-1499) is considered the "second founder" of Shin Buddhism. Under his leadership, the Honganji branch grew in size and power, becoming a national organization with great wealth and influence. Rennyo's success lay in conveying an attractive spiritual message while exerting effective administrative control. A savvy politician as well as religious leader, ennyo played a significant role in political, economic, and institutional developments. Though he is undeniably one of the most influential persons in the history of Japanese religion, his legacy remains enigmatic and largely overlooked by the West. This volume offers an assessment of Rennyo's contribution to Buddhist thought and the Honganji religious organization. A collection of 16 previously unpublished essays by both Japanese and non-Japanese scholars in the areas of historical studies, Shinshu studies, and comparative religion, it is the first book to confront many of the major questions surrounding the phenomenal growth of Honganji under Rennyo's leadership. The authors examine such topics as the source of Rennyo's charisma, the soteriological implications of his thought against the background of other movements in Pure Land Buddhism, and the relationship between his ideas and the growth of his church. This collection is an important first step in bringing this important figure to an audience outside Japan. It will be of significant interest to scholars in the fields of Japanese religion, Japanese social history, comparative religion, and the sociology of religion.

About the Author

Mark L. Blum is at State University of New York, Albany. Shin'ya Yasutomi is at Otani University.