Kamakura New Buddhism

• People who have the concept of 末法思想 as a premise:

  • 浄土宗 / 法然
    • Rely on 南無阿弥陀仏 and have faith in other-power (reliance on external help)
  • 浄土真宗 / 親鸞
    • Emphasize even more on other-power
    • Believe that salvation is already determined, so they express gratitude by reciting the nembutsu
    • 悪人正機説
      • “Evil people” are not actually bad people, but rather those who rely on other-power
      • Since it is absolute reliance on other-power, it is considered acceptable
  • 時宗 / 一遍
    • Spread the practice of dancing while reciting the nembutsu (although he didn’t start it)

• People who reject the concept of 末法思想 and strive in a different way:

  • Devote themselves to 座禅
  • Dogen / Soto Zen
    • By solely practicing zazen, one can be liberated from all attachments (the ultimate goal of Buddhism)
  • Eisai / Rinzai Zen
    • Engage in zazen while contemplating absurd riddles
    • People like 一休 also belong to this category

• Chanting:

  • 日蓮宗 / Nichiren
  • Chant 法華経 (one of the interpretations of Buddha’s teachings)
  • Criticize and refute other sects