1.1 History of Higashi Honganji: Jodo Shinshu and Saint Shinran
Higashi Honganji (official name: Shinshu Honbyo) is the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Otaniha sect in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, and serves as an important base for transmitting the teachings of Saint Shinran to the present day.
Shinran was a Buddhist monk active during the Kamakura period. After training in Tendai Buddhism on Mount Hiei, he studied the teachings of Jodo Buddhism under Saint Honen and established his own unique belief system, Jodo Shinshu. His teachings emphasize the original vow of Amida Buddha, which states that anyone can attain rebirth in paradise simply by chanting “Namu Amida Butsu.”
After Saint Shinran’s death, the Honganji sect was formed by his direct descendants (such as Saint Kyonyo), who were responsible for guarding his grave. However, over time, political and religious conflicts arose, and the temple would later split into Nishi Honganji (Honganji sect) and Higashi Honganji (Otani sect).
Higashi Honganji was built in 1602 by Priest Gyonyo, with the support of Tokugawa Ieyasu. This was partly due to the shogunate’s political intention to disperse the influence of Honganji, which had become a major religious force at the time.
Having undergone numerous fires and reconstructions, Higashi Honganji today sits on a vast site centered around the Goei-do Hall, which was rebuilt in 1879. Home to some of Japan’s finest wooden buildings, it is a sacred place visited by many worshippers.
🔹Goeido
1.2 What is the sect of Higashi Honganji? (Shinshu Otaniha)
The sect of which Higashi Honganji is the head temple is called the Shinshu Otaniha. It is one of the Jodo Shinshu sects with the largest number of adherents, with over 5.5 million followers.
Its distinctive teachings and practices include:
・Principal Deity: Amida Buddha
・Founder: Saint Shinran
・Centre of Doctrine: Believing in Amida Buddha’s original vow through the nembutsu of “Namu Amida Butsu” and praying for rebirth in the Pure Land
・Sacred Texts: The Three Pure Land Sutras (the Sutra of Immeasurable Life, the Sutra of Contemplation of Immeasurable Life, and the Sutra of Amitabha) and Saint Shinran’s major work, Kyogyoshinsho
The Shinshu Otaniha sect also has distinctive ceremonies and Buddhist rites. For example, condolence money and flowers tend to be withheld, and there are occasions when different etiquette is required than in other sects.
In addition to practicing its faith, Higashi Honganji also places great emphasis on social involvement and educational activities, and operates a university (Otani University), a kindergarten, and a cultural center.