Consideration about the Cause and Effect of the jogō in Hōnen

Abstract

The practice expounded by Hōnen 法然, the founder of the Jōdokyō, is the nenbutsu. Alongside nenbutsu are the “auxiliary practices” (jogō 助業). These comprise reading and reciting scriptures, contemplation, prostration, and giving praise and offerings. The relation between nenbutsu and the auxiliary practices has been discussed since former times. There are two aspects to auxiliary practices: their character of attraction and of continuation.