The tradition taught at Toronto Buddhist Church is Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Our founder, Shinran Shonin (1173-1262), conceived the term ‘Jodo Shinshu’ to represent the True Teaching of the Pure Land received from his teacher Honen. Often, we refer to Jodo Shinshu Buddhism as Shin Buddhism.
Shin Buddhism originated approximately 800 years ago in Japan through the life experience of Shinran Shonin. After twenty years of performing strict practices as a Buddhist monk, Shinran Shonin realized how difficult it was to follow the Path of Sages. He thought he would never attain liberation through these practices. This eventually led him to the Pure Land teaching.
The Pure Land teaching or Jodo Shinshu Buddhism provides guidance to laypeople who want to experience awareness, joy and happiness in their everyday lives.
Today, Jodo Shinshu Buddhism is one of the largest sects of Buddhism in Japan. To learn more about general Buddhism, or more specifically Jodo Shinshu Buddhism please refer to the additional resources on our website.