Ōjōyōshū
Sign in to saveAlso known as Ōjō Yōshū, Ojoyoshu, Ojo Yoshu, The Essentials of Rebirth in the Pure Land
The was an influential medieval Buddhist text composed in 985 by the Japanese Buddhist monk Genshin. The text is a comprehensive analysis of Buddhist practices related to rebirth in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha, drawing upon earlier Buddhist texts from China, and sutras such as the Contemplation Sutra. Genshin advocated a collection of mutually supportive practices, such as sutra recitation, centered around visual meditation of Amitabha Buddha where later Pure Land sects favored an approach that relied on exclusive recitation of the verbal nembutsu. The text is also well known for its graphic
Book · Open Library
- Author
- Robert F. Rhodes
- First published
- 2017
- Editions
- 2
- Subjects
- Buddhism, doctrines
via Open Library
~11 min read
Encyclopedic overview
19 sectionsContents
- Contents
- Chapter summaries
- 1: Detestation of the Defiled Realms (厭離穢土)
- 2: Aspiration for the Pure Land (欣求淨土)
- 3: Scriptural Proofs for Pure Land Birth (證淨土)
- 4: The Meaning and Classification of Nenbutsu (念佛正行)
- 5: Aids to Nenbutsu (助念方法)
- 6: Nenbutsu for Special Occasions (別時念佛)
- 7: Benefits of Nenbutsu (念佛利益)
- 8: Scriptural Proofs of Nenbutsu’s Efficacy (念佛證據)
- 9: Other Practices for Pure Land Birth (諸行往生)
- 10: Resolution of Doctrinal Questions (問答料簡)
- Described Practices
- Nenbutsu veneration
- Intention
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
The was an influential medieval Buddhist text composed in 985 by the Japanese Buddhist monk Genshin. The text is a comprehensive analysis of Buddhist practices related to rebirth in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha, drawing upon earlier Buddhist texts from China, and sutras such as the Contemplation Sutra. Genshin advocated a collection of mutually supportive practices, such as sutra recitation, centered around visual meditation of Amitabha Buddha where later Pure Land sects favored an approach that relied on exclusive recitation of the verbal nembutsu. The text is also well known for its graphic descriptions of the Hell realms, and sufferings one might endure for harmful acts committed in this life. Its influence can be seen in Japanese Buddhist paintings and other, later, texts. The founder of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism, Shinran, wrote an influential commentary on the Ōjōyōshū titled, "Notes on Essentials of Rebirth", while Hōnen first encountered Pure Land teachings after studying Genshin's writings.
In 986, a copy was sent to China at Genshin's request and was reportedly deposited at Guoqingsi Temple on Mount Tiantai some time before 990.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Ōjōyōshū” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.