Shinran Path to Purity

In the 12th century Buddhism was still a relatively new religion in Japan At that time one school Shingon offered extensive training in complex and very demanding practices which might eventually bring about spiritual purification and realization Various Zen schools offered students a lengthy path literally composed of a blank wall and unceasing meditation Yet another school Tendai emphasized complex metaphysics and the study of philosophical systems Basically all of them were designed to cater to the few who were able to give up everything else in their lives and focus on liberation such as scholars and noblemen In this historical and biographical drama this is the situation that the young Shinran 11731263 discovered when he began exploring Buddhism as an alternative to the violence and ceaseless civil wars that racked Japan at the time