Introducing+Shinran

=**Title: Introduction to Shinran Shonin**=

**Status: MODERATED**

Objective:

 * Introduce the topic of Shinran Shonin

Materials:

 * Paper to write on
 * Pen/Pencil
 * Markers
 * Large paper (butcher sheet)
 * Copies of Myths about Shinran

Preparation:

 * Prepare a list of historical events during years 1000 to 1300.

Method:
> > How tall was Shinran Shonin? > > > Tell the students that we will try to answer these questions this year.
 * 1) Intro
 * 2) Discussion: What kind of Person do you think was Shinran Shonin?
 * 3) Shinran Shonin questionnaire
 * What is Shinran Shonin famous for?
 * Where was he born?
 * How was he born? Was he born in a garden?
 * What did Shinran eat?
 * How many names did Shinran have?
 * What was Shinran's favorite food?
 * Who was his teacher?
 * Was he married? To whom?
 * Did he have any kids? How many?

> > Shinran Shonin was born in 1173. His first name was Shinran, and he was from the Shonin family. Both his mother and father passed away soon after his birth. He was taken care of by his uncle. He was an beautiful, obedient child and a brilliant student. > > At the age of 8, he decided to became a monk in order to calm the sadness that he felt for his mother's death. When the abbot of a local temple suggested that they wait till the next day to do the ceremony, he gave his response in a poem so wonderful that the abbot was moved to ordain him by candlelight. He was an excellent student at the Tendai monastery on Mt. Hiei and he became one of the youngest assistant abbots. One day however, going on rounds with his abbot, he met Tamahime, a imperial princess. He fell in love with her despite his vows. This caused great confusion in him. > > Seeking answers he spent 100 days at the Rokkakudo in meditation. On the 99th day, he was visited by Kannon Boddhisatva who promises to come to him as his wife and that he is to seek Honen Shonin who had founded the Jodo tradition. Hearing Honen's teachings, he decided to become Honen's disciple and quickly became the leading disciple. As allowed by Jodo shu, he married Tamahime. This angered the Emperor of Japan so much that he exiles Shinran to Echigo, a northern frontier of Japan and Honen to Shikoku. Shinran was to never meet Tamahime or Honen again. > > However, even in Echigo, many people were moved by Shinran and many converted to the Jodo tradition. Shinran eventually married Eshinni who was a daughter of one of the farmers in Echigo. Although he was pardoned in 1211, upon hearing of Honen's passing, he decides to go to the Kanto area. Along the way, he calms a flooding stream and and brings rain to a drought stricken area. > In Kanto, he gather many followers and writes many texts including his Kyo Gyo Shin Sho. The converts call themselves Jodo Shinshu and venerate Shinran. There are many miracles attributed to Shinran during this time including a water springing from a dry well and a tree growing to maturity overnight. > > In 1234, he returns to Kyoto to continue his research and Eshinni goes back to Echigo due to the fact that they are very poor. His daughter, Eshinni, takes care of Shinran until he passes peacefully in 1262. Lights are said to be seen coming from his face and all animals stop what they are doing for a moment in honor of Shinran. > > > Shinran Shonin was born in 1173. His first name was Shinran, and he was from the Shonin family. //(His name was Hino Matsuwakamaro)// Both his mother and father passed away soon after his birth. He was taken care of by his uncle. He was an beautiful, obedient child and a brilliant student. > > At the age of 8, he decided to became a monk in order to calm the sadness that he felt for his mother's death. When the abbot of a local temple suggested that they wait till the next day to do the ceremony, he gave his response in a poem so wonderful that the abbot was moved to ordain him by candlelight. He was an excellent student at the Tendai monastery on Mt. Hiei and he became one of the youngest assistant abbots //(not true)//. One day however, going on rounds with his abbot, he met Tamahime, a imperial princess. //(there is no record of a Tamahime; not unheard of. But "Tamahime" is an unusual name for a imperial princess esp. during the early Kamakura Period.)// He fell in love with her despite his vows. This caused great confusion in him. > Seeking answers he spent 100 days at the Rokkakudo in meditation. On the 99th day, he was visited by Kannon Boddhisatva who promises to come to him as his wife and that he is to seek Honen Shonin who had founded the Jodo tradition. Hearing Honen's teachings, he decided to become Honen's disciple and quickly became the leading disciple //(although he was highly thought of by Honen, Shinran was never the leading disciple)//. As allowed by Jodo shu, he married Tamahime. This angered the Emperor of Japan so much that he exiles Shinran to Echigo, a northern frontier of Japan and Honen to Shikoku. Shinran was to never meet Tamahime or Honen again. > However, even in Echigo, many people were moved by Shinran and many converted to the Jodo tradition//(although this happens afterwards during this time Shinran does not proslytize//. Shinran eventually married Eshinni who was a daughter of one of the farmers in Echigo //(her father was clearly a large land-owner)//. Although he was pardoned in 1211, upon hearing of Honen's passing, he decides to go to the Kanto area. Along the way, he calms a flooding stream and and brings rain to a drought stricken area. > In Kanto, he gather many followers and writes many texts including his Kyo Gyo Shin Sho. The converts call themselves Jodo Shins h u and venerate Shinran //(Jodo Shinshu does not exist until over 30 years after Shinran's death)//. There are many miracles attributed to Shinran during this time including a water springing from a dry well and a tree growing to maturity overnight. //(There is little historical basis for these miracles. And many appear many years after Shinran's passing.)// > In 1234, he returns to Kyoto to continue his research and Eshinni goes back to Echigo due to the fact that they are very poor . His daughter, Eshinni, takes care of Shinran until he passes peacefully in 1262. Lights are said to be seen coming from his face and all animals stop what they are doing for a moment in honor of Shinran. > > Using the large pieces of paper (butcher paper) create a timeline of world events during when Shinran Shonin was alive. Point out that US does not exist and most Europeans know nothing about Japan. Also point out that there are no cars. Even sailing ships were much more primitive w/ Europeans not having compasses yet.
 * 1) Myths about Shinran
 * 1) Activity: Ask the class to underline parts that they think is false.
 * 1) Discussion: Discuss parts that the students think are false.
 * 2) What else do you want to know about Shinran this year.
 * 3) Shinran timeline & what was going on in the world
 * 1) Review

Evaluation:

 * Review what occurred today.

Note:

 * Designed to be shorter than a usual 45 minutes class for the First day of Dharma School. Can be extended by giving students a World history timeline which they can use to fill in other world events into their Shinran Timeline.
 * You may create a form to record what the students wants to learn.

Author:
Mas Nishimura, San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 2011