Enkōji Jomyō’s Propagation of Shin Buddhism in the Early Modern Age

Abstract

Enkōji Jōmyō 円光寺浄明,who was propagating the faith based on the phrase “Realizing shinjin oneself and guiding others to shinjin” (自信教人信), was criticized by Sōyō 僧鎔 (1723–1783), who argued that his understanding was different from that of Shinran. The expression of receiving (eru 得る) shinjin is different from the general meaning of the character得,and the manifestation of receiving shinjin is no more than one example, not being limited to a single concrete instance of lineage. This consideration clarified the content of Shinshū propagation. The present paper emphasizes the importance of paying attention to dissidents in the history of the propagation of Shinshū.