Genku was a Buddhist priest and the originator of the Jōdo Sect. He was one of the most outstanding figures in the long history of Japanese Buddhism.
Background
Genku was born on May 13, 1133 and came of a rich, powerful family in Inada-Sho, Mimasaka (north of Okayama City). His secular name was Urushima. His original name was Seishimaru . Hōnen was the only son of Uruma Tokikuni, a regional military chief, who on his deathbed instructed his young son to enter the priesthood. In 1141, his father was attacked by a local official Sadaaki-Gennai-Musha and died. His dying wish was that Genku would learn the ways of Buddha instead of seeking to avenge himself on his enemy. The same year, Genku became a priest.
Education
In 1147, going up Mt. Hiei (near Kyoto) he became a disciple of Genko and Koen, the high priests, to study the doctrine of the Tendai Sect. In 1150, he began-to call himself Honenbō Genku and studied under Eiku. After 25 years of subsequent study, he found that abstract learning, however erudite, could not serve the purpose of salvation of the common people. In 1175, he chanced to read in Kan Куō-so, a Buddhist book, a passage urging the readers to devote themselves to invoking the name of Buddha. He also received inspiration from Оjō Yōshu (A Way to the Salvation of the Soul), written by Eshin Sozu (Genshin). Later he established a new sect of his own.
Career
Settling at Yoshimizu (the site of the present Chion-In Temple in Kyoto), Genku preached the doctrine of the Jōdo Sect for 40 years. The time coincided with the fierce struggle for power between the Minamoto and Taira clans, which caused a social unrest which deprived the masses of all their spiritual stays. Genku's teachings came as a salvation to the troubled masses. His following increased rapidly, the emperor, vagrants and outlaws alike seeking solace from his teachings. In 1206, his two disciples, Juren and Anraku, attempted to convert Court ladies. The attempt was exposed and the two priests were executed and Нōnеn exiled to Tosa (Kochi Prefecture). The same year, he was pardoned and permitted to return to Kyoto in 1211. In his death bed, Honen wrote Ichimai Kishomon, a summation of his doctrine, and gave it to Genchi.
His Jodo Sect attaches importance to Jōdo Sambu-kуō sutras and the Ojo Jodoron and its believers seek salvation of the soul by constant invocation of the name of Amida Buddha. The Chion-in Temple is its head temple. The sect has Seizan, Chinzei, Chorakuji, Kuhonji and Ichinengi branches.
