Shingon Risshu

Sect of Japanese Buddhism From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shingon Risshū (真言律宗; "Shingon-Vinaya School") is a sect of Japanese Buddhism that integrates the pratimoksha rules, the ordination precepts of Early Buddhism, and the samaya rules of Vajrayana, all grounded in Shingon Buddhism's esoteric doctrine. It is noted for reviving the spirit of the Risshū sect, one of the Six Schools of Nara Buddhism (南都六宗).

Saidai-ji, Shingon-Risshu head temple

The sect emphasizes adherence to the vinaya—the Buddhist monastic discipline—more than traditional Shingon Buddhism, while retaining tantric practices. Its home temple is Saidai-ji in Nara City.

Founder

The sect was founded in the 13th century by the monk Eison (叡尊; also known as Kosho Bosatsu), a disciple of Jōkei. Eison held Kūkai (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 disciple Ninshō (忍性; also called Ninsei).[1]

History

Kamakura Period

Reacting to the decline in monastic discipline, Eison and Ritsu monk Kakumori began personally administering the ordination 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 including Saidai-ji, Kairyuo-ji, Hokke-ji, and Hannya-ji, reestablishing strict vinaya observance independently from the Imperial Court.[2]

His disciple Ninshō expanded the reach of the movement by founding Gokuraku-ji in Kamakura 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 as Shinku and Shinsei, earned the trust of the court and helped expand the sect by restoring Kokubun-ji (provincial temples) and converting them into branch temples. At one time, the Ritsu sect (including Shingon Ritsu) rivaled the Zen and Jōdo 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 especially leprosy patients. Tens of thousands were reportedly helped. The defeat of the Mongol invasions of Japan was partly attributed to the protective incantations performed by Eison and Ninshō.[3]

After Muromachi

The sect declined temporarily during the late Muromachi period, but it was revived in the early Edo period by Meinin. His student Jōgen was the first to use the name "Shingon Ritsu-shū" publicly.

In 1872 (Meiji 5), the Meiji 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 Elder Saeki 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.

Elders of Saidaiji

  1. Kosho Bodhisattva Eison
  2. Jishin Wajo Shinku
  3. Senyu
  4. Shizun
  5. Kengen
  6. Choshin
  7. Shinsho
  8. Genyo
  9. Shintan
  10. Seisan
  11. Kakunjo
  12. Teiyu
  13. Shinzon
  14. Gyoki
  15. Teisen
  16. Zenyo
  17. Jicho
  18. Shinsen
  19. Ryoyo
  20. Kozan
  21. Ekuu
  22. Einyu
  23. Eigen
  24. Genku
  25. Eishu
  26. Kohai
  27. Ryosei
  28. Genshou
  29. Kousan
  30. Sen'e
  31. Shunyo
  32. Ryokei
  33. Sonkai
  34. Takachu
  35. Takamori
  36. Genkai
  37. Takami
  38. Kojun
  39. Kaju
  40. Sonju
  41. Kōkō
  42. Sonkei
  43. Gokai
  44. Kōshū
  45. Takahisa
  46. Kosen
  47. Sonchi
  48. Kōki
  49. Kenyu
  50. Kōen
  51. Sonshin
  52. Kōsan
  53. Songaku
  54. Son'ei
  55. Kankei
  56. Kōyu
  57. Sonsei
  58. Sondō
  59. Sonin
  60. Keihan
  61. Eido
  62. Son'e
  63. Sonkai
  64. Kohan
  65. Saeki Hirochō
  66. Fukugaki Shin’ō
  67. Saeki Goryū
  68. Komaoka Jōen
  69. Toshiaki Segi
  70. Matsumoto Jitsudō
  71. Mitsuaki Taniguchi
  72. Jitsuen Ōya
  73. Taka Matsumura

Denominational organization

  • President
  • Director General
  • General Affairs Department
  • Finance Department
  • Department of Teaching and Learning
  • Director of Religious Assembly
    • Religious Council Members (10)
    • Chairman
    • Vice Chairman

Temple ranks

  • Head Temple – Saidai-ji, Nara City
  • Daihonzan – Hōzan-ji, Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture
  • Bekkaku Honzan – Ichinomuroin, Gokokuin, Shomyo-ji (Yokohama), Kyōkō-ji (Osaka), Kushokuen (Hirakata), Iyo Kokubun-ji (Imabari), Hokke-ji (Imabari), Renge-in Tanjō-ji (Tamana City, Kumamoto)
  • Yugyoji – Gokurakuji Temple (Kamakura), Hoshoin (Uji), Iwafune Temple (Kizugawa), Jōruri-ji (Kizugawa), Kairyuuji Temple (Nara), Fugakuji (Nara), Hannya-ji (Nara), Genkoji (Nara), Kotouin (Nara), Shirahoji Temple (Nara), Nokuan Temple (Yamatokoriyama)
  • Other Temples – Chogyumi-ji Temple, Chofukuji, Enshoji Temple (all in Ikoma)

Educational institutions

  • Koho Academy
  • Tanechiin University (co-managed)
  • Rakunan High School and Junior High School (co-managed)
  • Shingon Ritsu Institute of Religious Studies

References

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