
By Rev. Miki Nakura
Although a commoner from Japan’s countryside, Dōshū’s remarkable faith caught the attention of Rennyo Shōnin, Jodo Shinshu’s “second founder.”
Most men wish always to have something new and novel; but a person of faith feels everything is fresh and new, even if constantly repeated. Regardless of how many times, each is heard anew with open ears,” Rennyo said. “Although Dōshū listened to the teachings constantly, he listened as if hearing them for the first time and he was grateful.
Dōshū (道宗)—a myōkōnin (simple person of deep faith in Jōdo Shinshū)—was born with the name Yashichi in Gokayama’s Akao village, deep in mountainous Toyama Prefecture, near the Japan Sea. He passed away in 1516. Today, Gokayama is designated as a World Heritage Site, known for its “gassho (prayer hands) style” thatched roof homes. The region is covered in snow during winter. Continue reading “Myōkōnin Dōshū”