character/[id]

‹
PERSON
Ryōnin
像
Ryōnin
Founder of Yūzū Nenbutsu-shū
1072-1132 · 享年 60歳
＋ Add to Oshi
系
View Family Tree
▾
生
生涯
Born in 1072 in Chita District, Owari Province. He ascended Mt. Hiei, mastered Tendai shōmyō (liturgical chanting), and secluded himself in Ōhara for nenbutsu contemplation. In 1124 he received a verse from Amida Buddha: "One person's nenbutsu reaches all; all persons' nenbutsu fuses with one" — founding Yūzū Nenbutsu. This unique teaching, based on the Kegon principle of mutual interpenetration, held that everyone's nenbutsu merges to aid universal rebirth. In 1127, by imperial decree of Emperor Toba, he established Dainenbutsuji in Settsu Province. He died in 1132.
人
Personality
A master of Tendai chanting and nenbutsu practitioner. An original thinker who fused the Kegon worldview — where one practice benefits all — with nenbutsu, deepening his realization in the stillness of Ōhara.
義
Historical Significance
Yūzū Nenbutsu-shū holds a unique place as a pioneer of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, with Dainenbutsuji continuing as its head temple today. Also celebrated as a master of shōmyō, the Ōhara chanting tradition he perfected is a candidate for UNESCO intangible heritage.
話
Famous Anecdotes
其 一
Yuzu Nembutsu School — Ryonin and the Teaching That 'One Person's Nembutsu Helps All to Attain Rebirth'
Ryonin founded the Yuzu Nembutsu school in 1117, teaching the 'Yuzu Nembutsu' — 'One person's nembutsu helps all people attain birth; all people's nembutsu helps one person attain birth.' Working to spread nembutsu from his base at Raikoin temple in Ohara (Kyoto), he also received the faith of retired emperors and emperors including Retired Emperor Gotoba. As a pioneer in spreading nembutsu to the people before Honen, he played an important role in the development of Pure Land Buddhism.
地
Related Places — 1
寺
Genkoji Temple
大阪府
In 1124, Ryonin — founder of the Yuzu Nembutsu sect — restored the dilapidated Heijoji and established it as a temple of his school. Ryonin studied Tendai on Mount Hiei, then retreated to Ohara where he perfected shomyo Buddhist chant. He went on to develop the doctrine that "one person's nembutsu interpenetrates with all, and the nembutsu of all fulfills that of one." His revival of Heijoji made this Toyosaki site an important node in the spread of Yuzu Nembutsu in Settsu Province.
›
─ 完 ─
📱
Explore pilgrimage with the app
Download on the App Store
✕