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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{nihongo|'''Seizan'''|西山}} is the name of the branch of [[Jōdo-shū]] Buddhism that was founded by [[Hōnen]]'s disciple, [[Shōkū]]. Shōkū often went by the name ''Seizan'' as well, however the name derives from the western mountains of [[Kyoto]] where Shōkū often dwelt. The main temple of this branch of Buddhism is at the temple of [[Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji|Eikandō]] in the city of [[Kyoto]]. The temple formerly served as a [[Shingon]] Buddhist temple, but when [[Jōhen]] headed the temple, he took an interest in Jōdo Buddhism (originally in order to criticize it), designated Hōnen as the 11th chief priest. Later, Hōnen's disciple became the head priest of [[Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji|Eikan-dō]], and established the Seizan branch, fully converting the temple into a Jōdo one.<br />
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==Doctrine==<br />
[[File:Taima Mandala.jpg|thumbnail|Taima Mandala, reproduction of the 8th century original]]<br />
As a branch of Jōdo, the central practice is devotion to [[Amitābha|Amida]] Buddha, and recitation of the [[nembutsu]]. Shōkū coined the term ''shiraki no nembutsu'', which refers to a practice where one devotes themselves to intense study of Buddhist literature, and then recites the [[nembutsu]] with deep, sincere faith. The idea behind ''shiraki no nembutsu'' is to demonstrate that in the age of [[Mappo]], people cannot achieve Enlightenment on their own, and so they should rely on the compassion of [[Amitābha|Amida]] Buddha.<br />
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Seizan Buddhism also seems to incorporate techniques from the [[Shingon]] and [[Tendai]] sects including the use of [[mandala]] (such as the famous [[Taima Mandala]]), and other ascetic practices. Shōkū, its founder, was said to recite the nembutsu 60,000 times a day and would endure other ascetic practices. Unlike some of Hōnen's disciples, such as [[Kōsai]], who attempted to eschew other Buddhist practices in favor of the [[nembutsu]], the Seizan branch attempted to organize all Buddhist practices into a hierarchy, with the nembutsu being the foremost practice. This is a similar approach to that found in [[Shingon]], [[Tendai]] and [[Kegon]] sects of Buddhism.<br />
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In Seizan thought, it is thought that practices other than the nembutsu do contain some merit, but not equal to even one recitation of the [[nembutsu]].<br />
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==References==<br />
* {{Cite book| last = Hattori | first = Sho-on | title = A Raft from the Other Shore : Honen and the Way of Pure Land Buddhism | publisher = Jodo Shu Press | year = 2001 | isbn = 4-88363-329-2 }}<br />
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==External links==<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071210215104/http://www.eikando.or.jp/English/honen_e.htm Eikandō's official website] Contains history of Jōdo Shū, the Seizan branch and Shōkū<br />
* Jodo Shu Research Institute (1996-2006). [http://www.jsri.jp/English/Jodoshu/disciples/eras/4eras.html History of Honen's Disciples]<br />
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[[Category:Jōdo-shū]]<br />
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