Japanese Buddhism

In response to a bunch of listener questions that we thought would be pretty straightforward, we bring you several episodes to discuss, first, the differences between Japanese Buddhist schools of Jodo Shu, Jodo Shinshu, and Nichiren. What unites these traditions are their founders’ experiences in the Tendai tradition and eventual dedication to a single path of practice. For Nichiren, the exclusive path was reliance of the Lotus Sutra; for Honen and Shinran it was the Pure Land path and recitation of the name of the Buddha Amida. But there are differences of focus between them that lead to the establishment of separate traditions.

Rooflines, Myohoji Nichiren Buddhist temple, Honolulu by Joel Abroad