Background
Rennyo was born in 1415 in Japan; son of Sonnyo.
Rennyo was born in 1415 in Japan; son of Sonnyo.
Rennyo became a priest at the age of seventeen
Rennyo head-priest, of the Hongan-ji Temple of the Jōdo Shinshū sect of Buddhism, and descendant of founder Shinran. Rennyo, taking full advantage of the written word to propagate his teachings, wrote a number of ofumi, or pastoral letters, explaining in simple language the principles of Jodo Shinshu and, utilizing the social and political organization of the farming villages, set up ko, religious clubs, to act as links between the temples and the congregation. As a result of his lively missionary activities, the influence of the sect spread all the way to the Oshii region of far northern Japan.
Rennyo had a son: Jitsunyo.