Editing Amitābha (section)

=== Japanese Buddhism ===

[[file:Uji Byodo-in Phönixhalle Innen Amida-Buddha 3.jpg|thumb|260px|Amida Buddha at the Phoenix Hall of [[Byōdō-in]], [[Uji]], Japan]]
Amitābha also became a central figure for [[Buddhism in Japan|Japanese Buddhism]]. His worship became established on the island during the [[Nara period]] (710–794) and was it one of the main practices taught in the [[Tendai]] school during the [[Heian period]] (794–1185).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Buswell |first=Robert E. |title=Encyclopedia of Buddhism |publisher=Macmillan Reference USA |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-02-865718-9 |location=New York |pages=249–250}}</ref><ref name="Jones-2021b">Jones, Charles B. (2021). ''Pure Land: History, Tradition, and Practice'', pp. 107–118. Shambhala Publications, {{ISBN|978-1-61180-890-2}}.</ref> 

The popularity of Amitābha centered practices eventually led to the formation of independent Pure Land schools which focused on Amitābha exclusively. The Tendai monk [[Hōnen]] (1133–1212) was the most influential figure who led this Pure Land movement during the [[Kamakura period]]. Hōnen was converted to the Pure Land path through his reading of Shandao and the other Chinese masters and became a popular author and preacher, bringing many people to the Pure Land teaching. He argued that people should set aside other practices and focus on the simple recitation of Amitābha's name to gain birth in the pure land. Compared to the complex teachings of the other traditions of the time, this simpler approach to Buddhism was much more appealing to common laypeople. This led to an increase in Amitābha devotion among commoners.<ref name="Jones-2021c">Jones, Charles B. (2021). ''Pure Land: History, Tradition, and Practice'', pp. 123–135. Shambhala Publications, {{ISBN|978-1-61180-890-2}}.</ref> 

Over time, these new Amitābha focused traditions established by [[Hōnen|Hōnen's]] followers (mainly [[Jōdo-shū]], and [[Shinran|Shinran's]] {{lang|ja-latn|[[Jōdo Shinshū]]|italic=no}}) became the largest Buddhist tradition in Japan and remain so to this day.<ref name="Jones-2021d">Jones, Charles B. (2021). ''Pure Land: History, Tradition, and Practice'', pp. 136–150. Shambhala Publications, {{ISBN|978-1-61180-890-2}}.</ref>