Eshin Sōzu

Place: Toma

Death: 1017

Biography:

Eshin Sōzu, also known as Genshin, was a Japanese Buddhist priest of the Tendai sect and patriarch of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism. He was born in 942 in Toma, Kita katsuragi District, Yamato Province (present day Nara Prefecture) and died in 1017. Eshin Sōzu was trained in both esoteric and exoteric teachings and wrote a number of treatises pertaining to the increasingly famous Pure Land Buddhism from a Tendai viewpoint.

Early Life and Training

was born into a family of Buddhist priests and was trained in the Tendai sect from a young age. He studied under several prominent teachers, including the renowned Buddhist master Genshin. Eshin Sōzu's training included both esoteric and exoteric teachings, which he would later incorporate into his own writings and teachings.

Teachings and Writings

's magnum opus, the Ōjōyōshū (Essentials of Birth in the Pure Land), had considerable influence on later Pure Land teachers such as Honen and Shinran. In this work, Eshin Sōzu emphasized the efficacy of the nembutsu for rebirth in the Pure Land, but as part of a holistic approach using a number of mutually supportive practices such as visualization, chanting, personal conduct, etc. The purpose and intent of the Pure Land remained in Eshin Sōzu's thought, within the larger Tendai approach, with the Lotus Sutra as its central teaching, an expedient means on the path to Buddhahood.

Artistic Contributions

's teachings on the 'deathbed nembutsu' ritual were highly influential in Heian Period Buddhist practice. His artistic contributions can be seen in his ink drawings, such as the Ink Drawing of Bodhidharma which is now part of the collection at the Museum of Zen Buddhist Culture. This piece showcases Eshin Sōzu's mastery of ink drawing on paper and is a significant work in the museum's collection.

• Ink Drawing of Bodhidharma by Eshin Sōzu
• Eshin Sōzu's biography on Wikioo.org
• The Yamato e Art Movement

aspects of Japanese art, such as the use of paper and the emphasis on nature, are evident in Eshin Sōzu's work. His contributions to the development of Pure Land Buddhism and his influence on later artists make him a significant figure in Japanese art history.

Legacy

's legacy can be seen in the many artists who have followed in his footsteps, including Seigan Sōi and Vincent Van Gogh. His emphasis on the importance of paper and ink in Japanese art has had a lasting impact on the development of the medium. As a prominent figure in Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, Eshin Sōzu's teachings continue to influence artists and scholars today.