Honganji

Honganji (本願寺, lit. temple of the original vow) is a term that has been used to refer to a number of Buddhist temples across Japan's history. However, it refers primarily to a pair of temples, which were once one, in Kyoto.

History

The Honganji was established as a temple in 1321, on the site of the Otani Mausoleum, where Shinran, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land) sect was buried. Kakunyo became the first chief priest of the Honganji, and dedicated it to the worship of Amida Buddha. The Honganji first gained power and importance in the 15th century, when Rennyo became its eighth chief priest. However, the Tendai sect, based on Mount Hiei, saw this expansion as a threat and attacked the Honganji three times with their army of warrior monks. Rennyo fled to Yoshizaki, where he founded the Ikko sect.

Related Topics:
1321 - Shinran - Jodo Shinshu - Kakunyo - Amida Buddha - Rennyo - Tendai - Mount Hiei - Warrior monks - Yoshizaki - Ikko

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During the Sengoku period, fearing the power of the monks of the Honganji, Oda Nobunaga tried to destroy it. For ten years, he laid siege to the Ishiyama Honganji in Osaka, one of the two primary temple fortresses of the Ikko sect. In 1604, just after Tokugawa Ieyasu became Shogun, he declared that the Honganji be split in two. Kyonyo, the 12th chief priest of the Honganji became the first of the Higashi (Eastern) Honganji, while Junyo became chief priest of the Nishi (Western) Honganji.

Related Topics:
Sengoku period - Oda Nobunaga - Ishiyama Honganji - Osaka - Ikko - 1604 - Tokugawa Ieyasu - Shogun - Kyonyo - Junyo

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During the Meiji Restoration in the 1860s, the government set down new guidelines for the management of religious organizations. An organization called Shinshu Otani was put in control of the Higashi Honganji.

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In 1987, the temple was renamed "Shinshu Honbyo", or New Buddhist Mausoleum, and its purpose was reverted back to that of a mausoleum. While the temple is therefore, officially, no longer "Higashi Honganji," most still regard it as such. The buildings have not been changed or moved, and of course the historical cultural and religious significance of the place cannot be changed. In 1996, a new Higashi Honganji was established in the Higashiyama (Eastern Mountain) area of Kyoto by Otani Kohrin, the 25th head priest.

Related Topics:
1987 - 1996 - Higashiyama - Kyoto - Otani Kohrin

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