Shoko and Chinzei Jodo School — Establishing Kyushu Jodo Buddhism as the Legitimate Succession to Honen
Shoko (Bencho), as Honen's direct disciple, spread Jodo Buddhism in Chikuzen (Fukui Prefecture) and established the 'Chinzei Jodo school.' Even after Honen's exile, he protected the master's teachings and worked hard to spread nembutsu throughout Kyushu. Claiming to be the legitimate successor to Honen's Senchakushu (Honen's main work on the selection of nembutsu), he taught the practice of 'hongan nembutsu' (nembutsu through Amida's fundamental vow). The Chinzei Jodo school came to form the mainstream of the present-day Jodo school (headquarters: Chion-in), becoming the largest Pure Land lineage.