Glossary

Amida Buddha:

The Buddha of Eternal Life and Infinite Light. The story of his
attaining Buddhahood through completion of his 48 Primal Vows is
narrated in the  Larger Pure Land Sutra.

Honen (1133-1212):

Generally considered the founder of the independent Pure Land Sect
through his text Treatise on the Nembutsu of the Select Primal Vow
(Senjaku-hongan-nembutsu-shu). Shin ran was one of six disciples who
continued the teaching after the master's death.

Honganji:

Temple of the Primal Vow is one of the divisions of Jodo Shinshu.
There are traditionally ten branches of which the Honganji became
the most dominant in Japan. It further divided into two branches,
East and West.

Jodo Shinshu:

The term means True Teaching of the Pure Land (tradition). This
term was appropriated by Shinran to denote his teaching in contrast
to the other disciples of Honen. In the West shin Buddhism is
commonly used.

Larger Pure Land Sutra (Daimuryojukyo):

Exists in four Chinese translations. It depicts the attainment of
enlightenment and Buddhahood (Amida) by the Bodhisattva Dharmakara
(Haze), providing the foundational story for the popular Pure Land
Tradition. It is one of three texts central to Pure Land tradition,
The Pure Land meditation Sutra and the Smaller Pure Land sutra. The
meditation sutra outlines various meditations used to achieve
visions of the Pure Land and Amida. It also gives the basis for the
stress on recitation of the name in popular practice. The Smaller
Sutra describes the Pure Land.

Nembutsu:

The term means "thinking on the Buddha". Originally it referred to
meditation but in the Pure Land tradition it came to signify the
recitation of the name of Amida Buddha. In Japanese: Namu Amida
Buts. It was regarded as an easy means to be reborn in the Pure
Land for ordinary people who could not participate in monastic
discipline when recited with sincere faith.

Pure Land (Jodo):

A spiritual  realm entered after death which,  because of  its
absolute purity, assures that the devotee will attain Nirvana and
Buddha hood. Recitation of the naae with faith brings about this
birth.