Ippen Chishin

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IPPEN CHISHIN

Ippen Chishin (1239–1289) was an itinerant monk who popularized Pure Land Buddhist faith in rural areas of Japan during the Kamakura period (1185–1333). His teachings emphasized the doctrine of Other Power (tariki, reliance on the saving power of AmitĀbha Buddha alone), the practice of dancing while chanting Amitābha Buddha's name (nenbutsu odori), and the distribution of paper tallies to confirm one's connection to Amitābha Buddha. Today Ippen Chishin is revered as the founder of the Jishū (Time) denomination in Japan.

See also:Japan; Kamakura Buddhism, Japan; Pure Land Buddhism; Pure Land Schools

William M. Bodiford