A. Mahayana Development

        1. Exoteric, populist emphasis

         2. Women, commoners targeted

         3. Buddhahood made easier for degenerate age

   B. Chinese Origins

        1. Sanskrit sukhavati --- Chinese qingdu "Pure Land"

        2.  Popular teaching in China from 9th century forward

             a. mid-9th century persecution of Buddhism

             b. institutional schools suffered badly

             c. Chan and Qingdu emerged with strength

   C. Comparisons with Christianity

         1. Amida Buddha's "name" namu Amida Butsu

         2. Jesus Christ

         3. Heaven aka "Western Paradise," "Pure Land" (Jodo)

         4. Hell (jigoku)

         5. eschatological, millenarian vision

          6. "Grace" essential to "salvation"

          7. Soteriological form of religiosity

II. Tendai Origins

   A. Kuya (903-972) "Saint of the Marketplace"

   B. Genshin (942-1017) Essentials of Salvation (Ojoyoshu)

   C. Ryonin (1072-1132): yuzu nembutsu "circulating nembutsu"

   D. Honen (1133-1212) founded the Jodo school in 1175

        1. Choosing the Original Vow (Senchaku hongan nembutsu shu)

             a. jiriki "self-power" vs. tariki "other power"

             b. mappo "final age of the dharma"

         2. Honen excommunicated, exiled from Heian to Echigo

         3. Attacked posthumously by Myoe (1173-1232)

              a. "Smashing the Evil Chariot"

              b. Myoe advocated plurality of practices

          4. Honen generally recognized as founder of Jodoshu

III. Shinran's (1173-1262) "True Pure Land Teachings" Jodo shinshu

     A. Initially a follower of Honen

         1. 1207 exiled with Honen

          2. asceticism rejected, family life affirmed

      B. Later broke with Honen's teachings

           1. Realization of the True Faith (Kyogyo shinsho, 1224)

            2. Charged Honen with jiriki "self-effort"

            3. advocated utter faith (shinjin) & reliance on tariki

            4. easier for evil man, than good, to realize true faith

            5. Referred to himself as Gutoku Shinran: "Foolish, Bald Shinran"

IV. Rennyo (1415-1499) Follower of Shinran

      A. Rennyo's Rules advocated tolerance of kami (Shinto)

      B. nembutsu an expression of "gratitude" for Amida's grace

V. Ippen (1239-1289)

     A. Founded Jishu "Time School"

     B. Practiced odori nembutsu "dancing nembutsu"

     C. Rejected Shinran's emphasis on "faith" in favor of Amida's ultimate grace