Seizan (西山, West Mountain) is a branch ofJōdo-shū Buddhism that was founded byHōnen's disciple,Shōkū (1177–1247), who often went by the nameSeizan. The name derives from the western mountains ofKyoto where Shōkū often dwelt. Seizan Jōdo-shū emphasizes the single-minded recitation of thenembutsu (念仏, "Namu Amida Butsu") while also incorporating elements of Tendai and Shingon Buddhism.
The head temple of Seizan Jōdo-shū is Kōmyō-ji (光明寺) in Nagaokakyō, Kyoto, which is historically significant as the site where Hōnen first chanted the nembutsu and was later cremated. Additionally,Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji (永観堂禅林寺) inKyoto played a major role in the early development of the Seizan school. Seizan Jōdo-shū, originally called Jōdo-shū Seizan Kōmyō-ji-ha (浄土宗西山光明寺派), adopted its current name in 1948.
The Seizan school traces its origins toShōkū, a prominent disciple ofHōnen, who studied and systematized Pure Land doctrine in a way that integrated elements of esoteric Buddhism. Seizan Jōdo-shū was also influenced by the Tendai and Shingon traditions due to the background of its early teachers.[2]
One of the key locations for Seizan Jōdo-shū’s development was Eikan-dō (Zenrin-ji), which was originally aShingon temple. Jōhen (静遍), one of its abbots, took an interest in Jōdo Buddhism initially as a means to criticize it. However, he later designated Hōnen as the 11th chief priest of Eikan-dō. Afterward, Shōkū became the head priest and officially converted the temple into a Jōdo institution, establishing the Seizan branch.[2]
Shōkū had 27 direct disciples, and the Seizan tradition eventually divided into six sub-branches, collectively known as the Seizan Six Lineages (西山六流, Seizan Rokuryū). Among them, four were particularly influential:[2]
Of these, Saitanigiryū was inherited by Kōmyō-ji and Eikan-dō, while Fukakusagiryū continued at Kyōgoku Seigan-ji (京極誓願寺). Later, two other minor lineages—Rokkakugiryū (六角義) and Honzangiryū (本山義)—emerged, but they eventually merged with other branches. By the end of the Nanbokuchō period (14th century), several Seizan sub-schools had declined or disappeared.
Today, Seizan Jōdo-shū consists of three main branches, collectively called the Seizan Three Schools (西山三派, Seizan Sanpa):[2]
Seizan temples, including Kōmyō-ji and Eikan-dō, remain important historical and cultural sites for Japanese Pure Land Buddhism. Kōmyō-ji, in particular, is recognized as the site where Hōnen first chanted the nembutsu and was later cremated.
As a branch of Jōdo-shū, Seizan Jōdo-shū centers on devotion toAmida Buddha and the recitation of the nembutsu. However, it has some doctrinal differences from other Pure Land schools.
Shōkū maintained that salvation comes solely through Amida Buddha’s power (tariki) and not through self-effort (jiriki), yet he did not reject religious practices entirely. He engaged in nembutsu chanting, scripture recitation, and monastic discipline, viewing these not as means to attain rebirth in the Pure Land but as expressions of Amida’s working through him. His concept of “unvarnished nembutsu” (shiroki nembutsu) emphasized reciting Amida’s name without attachment to personal interpretations or additional practices, as any reliance on self-power leads to either arrogance or discouragement. Even those who have led immoral lives can attain rebirth simply by calling Amida’s name, as their nembutsu remains untainted by self-effort, like a child guided in writing. While he completely rejected self-powered methods of emancipation, he acknowledged the value of nembutsu recited by those well-versed in Mahayana teachings or precepts, urging a clear distinction between tariki and jiriki without dismissing the learned.[3][4]
Thus, unlike some of Hōnen’s disciples, such asKōsai, who rejected all practices except the nembutsu, Seizan Jōdo-shū acknowledges the merit of other Buddhist practices. However, it ranks them in a hierarchy where nembutsu is the foremost practice, similar to how the Shingon, Tendai, and Kegon traditions organize their teachings. While other practices contain some merit, they are not considered equal to even a single recitation of the nembutsu.[3][4]
Seizan Buddhism also seems to incorporate techniques from theShingon andTendai sects including the use ofmandala (such as the famousTaima Mandala), and other ascetic practices. Shōkū, its founder, was said to recite the nembutsu 60,000 times a day and would endure other ascetic practices. Unlike some of Hōnen's disciples, such asKōsai, who attempted to eschew other Buddhist practices in favor of thenembutsu, the Seizan branch attempted to organize all Buddhist practices into a hierarchy, with the nembutsu being the foremost practice. This is a similar approach to that found inShingon,Tendai andKegon sects of Buddhism.
TheAnjin Ketsujō Shō (Essence of the Determination of the Settled Mind) is a significant Pure Land Buddhist text, particularly influential in the Seizan and Jōdo Shinshū traditions of Japan. Written soon after the time of Hōnen, modern scholars believe it originated within the Seizan school, possibly authored by Shōkū (1177–1247). The text focuses on the concept of the "settled mind" (anjin), which refers to true entrusting (shinjin) in Amida Buddha, and the assurance (ketsujō) of birth in the Pure Land. By the 14th century, the text had been adopted into Jōdo Shinshū, possibly through Anichibō, and was studied by key figures like Kakunyo, Zonkaku, and later, Rennyo, who regarded it as essential to the Jōdo Shinshū tradition.[5][6][7]
The core teaching of theAnjin Ketsujō Shō is that, due to Amida Buddha’s boundless Vow, both Amida’s attainment of Buddhahood and the practitioner's birth in the Pure Land occur simultaneously in a timeless,non-dual reality. Since this realization has already been accomplished through Amida’s power, self-powered practices are unnecessary. Instead, reciting thenembutsu serves as an expression of this truth and an awakening to the liberation already granted by Amida. Any attempt to attain Buddhahood through personal effort is seen as futile; all that is required is absolute trust in Amida Buddha throughnembutsu recitation.[5][6][7]
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