Shingon Risshū (真言律宗; "Shingon-Vinaya School") is a sect ofJapanese Buddhism that integrates thepratimoksha rules, theordination precepts ofEarly Buddhism, and thesamaya rules ofVajrayana, all grounded inShingon Buddhism's esoteric doctrine. It is noted for reviving the spirit of theRisshū sect, one of theSix Schools of Nara Buddhism (南都六宗).
The sect emphasizes adherence to thevinaya—the Buddhist monastic discipline—more than traditional Shingon Buddhism, while retaining tantric practices. Its home temple isSaidai-ji inNara City.
The sect was founded in the 13th century by the monkEison (叡尊; also known as Kosho Bosatsu), a disciple ofJōkei. Eison heldKūkai (the founder of Shingon Buddhism) in high reverence and established a synthesis between the Shingon and Risshu traditions. His efforts were continued by his eminent discipleNinshō (忍性; also called Ninsei).[1]
Reacting to the decline in monastic discipline, Eison and Ritsu monkKakumori began personally administering theordination precepts, bypassing the imperial state's monopoly on ordination procedures (自誓受戒,jisei-jukai). Eventually, Eison and Kakumori parted ways due to differing interpretations of the precepts.
Eison proceeded to rebuild major temples includingSaidai-ji,Kairyuo-ji,Hokke-ji, andHannya-ji, reestablishing strictvinaya observance independently from theImperial Court.[2]
His discipleNinshō expanded the reach of the movement by foundingGokuraku-ji inKamakura and engaging in active lay outreach. This marked the birth of the Shingon Risshū, which was initially seen as a reform within Shingon and Ritsu traditions, later recognized as a new school within what is now termed "Kamakura Buddhism".
Eison’s successors, such asShinku and Shinsei, earned the trust of the court and helped expand the sect by restoringKokubun-ji (provincial temples) and converting them into branch temples. At one time, the Ritsu sect (including Shingon Ritsu) rivaled theZen andJōdo sects in influence. However,Nichiren criticized it as a "Ritsu national pirate" (律国賊).
Eison and Shinsei also engaged in extensive social welfare work, aiding the poor, the sick, and especiallyleprosy patients. Tens of thousands were reportedly helped. The defeat of theMongol invasions of Japan was partly attributed to the protective incantations performed by Eison and Ninshō.[3]
The sect declined temporarily during the lateMuromachi period, but it was revived in the earlyEdo period byMeinin. His studentJōgen was the first to use the name "Shingon Ritsu-shū" publicly.
In 1872 (Meiji 5), theMeiji government reorganized Buddhist schools, merging all Ritsu sects into the Shingon sect, citing Shingon Risshū’s Shingon lineage. However, independence movements arose within Ritsu temples.[4]
Led by the 64th ElderSaeki Kōsō, Saidai-ji spearheaded the push for autonomy. In 1895 (Meiji 28), the Ritsu sects regained independence, and Shingon Risshū was reestablished as a separate sect. Some temples remained within Shingon, however.
Since then, Saidai-ji has served as the head temple of the Shingon Risshū, and its chief priest customarily serves as the sect’s chief abbot.
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