Soga Ryojin
Encyclopedia
was an influential thinker in the Higashi Honganji
Jōdo Shinshū
Buddhist tradition, and a President of Otani University
. A disciple of Kiyozawa Manshi
he developed an approach to Jōdo Shinshū
doctrine that at times brought him into serious conflict with more conservative elements of the tradition. Later his legacy would be re-evaluated.
Soga Ryōjin developed a subjective
and personal approach to Jōdo Shinshū studies, building on the thought of Kiyozawa Manshi
, which he summarised in the words; "We do not believe in Buddha or God because they actually exist; they exist because we believe in them". However he was always extremely careful to differentiate the Jōdo Shinshū perspective from the 'Pure Land as mind alone' doctrine found in some Pure Land
and Zen
schools:
"Those who believe in “self-power” proundly boast, “I am Tathagata
!” Those of other Pure Land sects vainly lament this life, saying, “The Tathagata is the Tathagata.” We [Jodo Shinshu followers] are surprised by the wonderous meaning of “the Tathagata is me.” At the same time, we are aware that ultimately, I am me and not Tathagata.”"
Higashi Honganji
, or, the Eastern Temple of the Original Vow, is one of two dominant sub-sects of Shin Buddhism in Japan and abroad, the other being Nishi Honganji...
Jōdo Shinshū
Jodo Shinshu
, also known as Shin Buddhism, is a school of Pure Land Buddhism. It was founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran. Today, Shin Buddhism is considered the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan.-Shinran :...
Buddhist tradition, and a President of Otani University
Otani University
is a private Buddhist university located in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The university was founded in 1901 as "Shinshū University" in Tokyo with Kiyozawa Manshi as the president.-Notable alumni and faculty:*Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki*Kaneko Daiei*Keido Fukushima...
. A disciple of Kiyozawa Manshi
Kiyozawa Manshi
was a Japanese Shin Buddhist reformer of samurai background who studied at Tokyo University in Western philosophy under the American philosopher Ernest Fenollosa....
he developed an approach to Jōdo Shinshū
Jodo Shinshu
, also known as Shin Buddhism, is a school of Pure Land Buddhism. It was founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran. Today, Shin Buddhism is considered the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan.-Shinran :...
doctrine that at times brought him into serious conflict with more conservative elements of the tradition. Later his legacy would be re-evaluated.
Soga Ryōjin developed a subjective
Subjective
Subjective may refer to:* Subjectivity, a subject's personal perspective, feelings, beliefs, desires or discovery, as opposed to those made from an independent, objective, point of view** Subjective experience, the subjective quality of conscious experience...
and personal approach to Jōdo Shinshū studies, building on the thought of Kiyozawa Manshi
Kiyozawa Manshi
was a Japanese Shin Buddhist reformer of samurai background who studied at Tokyo University in Western philosophy under the American philosopher Ernest Fenollosa....
, which he summarised in the words; "We do not believe in Buddha or God because they actually exist; they exist because we believe in them". However he was always extremely careful to differentiate the Jōdo Shinshū perspective from the 'Pure Land as mind alone' doctrine found in some Pure Land
Pure land
A pure land, in Mahayana Buddhism, is the celestial realm or pure abode of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. The various traditions that focus on Pure Lands have been given the nomenclature Pure Land Buddhism. Pure lands are also evident in the literature and traditions of Taoism and Bön.The notion of 'pure...
and Zen
Zen
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
schools:
"Those who believe in “self-power” proundly boast, “I am Tathagata
Tathagata
Tathāgata in Pali and Sanskrit) is the name the Buddha of the scriptures uses when referring to himself. The term means, paradoxically, both one who has thus gone and one who has thus come . Hence, the Tathagata is beyond all coming and going – beyond all transitory phenomena...
!” Those of other Pure Land sects vainly lament this life, saying, “The Tathagata is the Tathagata.” We [Jodo Shinshu followers] are surprised by the wonderous meaning of “the Tathagata is me.” At the same time, we are aware that ultimately, I am me and not Tathagata.”"