author
Shinran
1173–1263
A central figure in Japanese Buddhism, he reshaped Pure Land teaching in a way that spoke directly to ordinary people. His writing is still read for its honesty, humility, and deep trust in Amida Buddha’s compassion.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born near Kyoto in 1173, Shinran lived during a time of political change and religious searching in Japan. He trained first as a monk on Mount Hiei, then became a disciple of Hōnen, the teacher who helped spread devotion to Amida Buddha and the recitation of the nembutsu.
After Hōnen’s movement was suppressed, Shinran was exiled, and this turning point shaped the rest of his life. He came to teach that liberation did not depend on strict religious achievement or personal merit, but on entrusting oneself to Amida’s vow. That simple but radical message became the foundation of Jōdo Shinshū, or the True Pure Land school, for which he is widely regarded as the founder.
Shinran spent much of his later life writing and teaching, especially through works such as the Kyōgyōshinshō. He died in Kyoto in 1263, but his influence continued to grow, and his thought remains one of the most important voices in Japanese Buddhist history.