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TheŌjōyōshū (往生要集;The Essentials of Rebirth in the Pure Land) was an influential medievalBuddhist text composed in 985 by the Japanese Buddhist monkGenshin. The text is a comprehensive analysis of Buddhist practices related to rebirth in thePure Land ofAmida Buddha, drawing upon earlier Buddhist texts from China, and sutras such as theContemplation Sutra. Genshin advocated a collection of mutually supportive practices, such assutra recitation, centered around visual meditation of Amitabha Buddha where laterPure Land sects favored an approach that relied on exclusive recitation of the verbalnembutsu. The text is also well known for its graphic descriptions of theHell 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 ofJōdo Shinshū Buddhism,Shinran, wrote an influential commentary on theŌjōyōshū titled, "Notes on Essentials of Rebirth", whileHōnen 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 atGuoqingsi Temple onMount Tiantai some time before 990.[1]
TheŌjōyōshū is written in eighty thousand Chinese characters, inkanbun prose, and is divided into ten chapters in three volumes[2] (chapter names translated by professors Robert Rhodes and Richard Payne):[1]
Thus, the Ōjōyōshū was intended as a comprehensive guide toward rebirth in the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha in what Genshin believed was thedeclining age of the Dharma where the efficacy of the traditional Buddhist path towardbuddhahood was no longer feasible. By gaining birth in the Pure Land, one could thus more readily undertake practices there.
Each chapter starts with a short general introduction and then turns its attention towards details by quoting from Buddhist scriptures which are then commented on by Genshin. He uses 654 quotations and draws these from 160 different works. These quotations are used to resolve difficulties or enlarge upon certain subjects.[2] In this endeavour, Genshin creates a coherent system of Pure Land belief and practice and indicates directions that laterPure Land movements concerned themselves with.[3]
In this description, Genshin sets out to define the correct and orthodox nenbutsu. He instructs those who want to practice Pure Land salvation to:
Take Refuge in Him single-mindedly. Throw yourself, knees, arms and forehead, to the ground and venerate Amida Buddha far off in the West. Consider not the more or less of your practice; just be of sincere heart.
In the second step, the nenbutsu-praise, Genshin urges the practitioner to sing hymns of Amida and praising the attributes of Amida. Next he instructs to "arouse the thought ofbodhi". This means to perceive one's possibility of enlightenment and Buddhahood. It marks the moment of true conversion for a Buddhist. Converting the Buddhist realises the potential the possibility of all sentient being's rebirth in the Pure Land.[4]
Through his work Genshin intended to show a way of salvation within the time ofdeclining dharma (mappō 末法) for all. He is concerned with Pure Land salvation exclusively which is within the capabilities of all beings. The most effective practice beingnenbutsu.[5]