Rennyo

Rennyo (蓮如, 1415–1499) was a descendant of Shinran and the 8th head priest of the Hongan-ji branch of Jōdo Shinshū, a major Japanese Buddhist tradition. He is known for his tireless preaching of the Shin teaching and is credited with transforming the Honganji into a major religious organization. According to Dobbins, during Rennyo's tenure, Hongan-ji temple "emerged as the premier institution of the school, and the Shinshū itself burgeoned into one of Japan's largest and most powerful schools of Buddhism." Shinshū Buddhists often refer to him as the restorer of the sect (Chūkō no sō (中興の祖) in Japanese). He was also known as Shinshō-in (信証院), and posthumously Etō Daishi (慧灯大師). Rennyo led the Hongan-ji during the conflict ridden Sengoku era, working to grow and reform the tradition. He successfully navigated his temple's relationships with various groups, including the secular authorities, the warrior monks of Mt. Hiei, and the Ikkō-ikki rebellions. Rennyo's leadership and his promotion of Shinshū teachings led to a large influx of new members. His years as head priest also saw the reform of Hongan-ji liturgy and practices. Rennyo's ability to interpret Shin Buddhist teaching in a simple manner allowed him to spread the teachings widely among ordinary people. Rennyo's pastoral letters were the most articulate and popular explanations of Shin doctrine of his time, and they made Jōdo Shinshū one of the most widespread and enduring Buddhist teachings in medieval Japan. His teachings also defined the orthodox doctrine of the Honganji sect, which remained closely aligned with his doctrines until the modern era. Today, Rennyo is venerated in the Hongan-ji sects as the "Second founder", alongside Shinran. His liturgical reforms and writings remain authoritative texts in Hongan-ji temples today.