Jodo Shinshu the largest school of Buddhism in Japan
Jōdo Shinshū, or Shin Buddhism, is the largest school of Buddhism in Japan, with a growing presence in the Western world.
Surprisingly, the largest ethnic group among Shin Buddhists after the Japanese is the Han Chinese.
Historically, the first non-Japanese to embrace Shin Buddhism was likely a Chinese merchant who found solace in the teachings of Rennyo Shonin after the loss of his daughter.
Today, Shin Buddhist communities of Chinese descent thrive in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore, with individual adherents scattered across Southeast Asia and the West.
This phenomenon sheds light on the dynamic exchange of Buddhist traditions between cultures.
Despite Buddhism being often viewed as a transmission from China to Japan, the embrace of Shin Buddhism by Chinese communities underscores its universal appeal and its ability to resonate with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, illustrating its capacity to serve as a legitimate Pure Land Dharma gate beyond its Japanese origins.
