The Ikko school of Buddhism (一向宗, ikkoushuu) is a small, militant, offshoot from Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Ikko means single-minded; followers of this school devoted and focused their concentration on their faith, believing strongly in salvation by faith. Taking much of the foundation of their belief from the teachings of Shinran (1173-1262), the congregational, anti-clerical structure was developed and shaped largely by Rennyo (1415-99). Much of the sect's beliefs were derived from the practice of Nenbutsu, shouting and praising the name of the Amida Buddha. For a time, they also advocated the abolition of the Hinayana and Mahayana schools of Buddhism. The sect is perhaps most well-known for the Ikko-ikki, mobs of warrior monks & farmers, who overthrew the feudal lords of several provinces, and opposed Oda Nobunaga.

History

Before the formation of the Ikko sect, Rennyo, the founder of the sect, was chief abbot of the Honganji in Kyoto. He used this position to voice his unorthodox views, and to act upon them. He was forced to flee Kyoto when, in 1465, the Honganji was attacked by monks from Enryakuji, who opposed his views and behavior. He settled and began preaching in a place called Yoshizaki , where he attracted a large number of converts, mostly peasants.

The sect grew quickly, and soon had power (through numbers) enough to challenge the authorities who tried to control them. They rose up and overthrew the feudal lord of Kaga Province, and even defeated the force sent against them by the bakufu. This was the beginning of the Ikko-ikki, and the impetus for the Jodo Shinshu sect to officially separate themselves from the new sect. It became known as either Ikkoshu or Shinshu, but was no longer officially acknowledged as part of Jodo Shinshu.

Ishiyama Honganji and Nagashima , the sect's fortress cathedrals, were built at the end of the 15th century, and stood until their destruction at the hands of Oda Nobunaga's armies. The fortress at Nagashima was set aflame in 1574, and burned to the ground, taking about 20,000 people with it. The Ishiyama Honganji withstood the longest siege in Japanese history, before surrendering in 1580. It was then transformed into Osaka Castle, which still stands today.

Following the destruction of the fortress at Nagashima , Oda Nobunaga ordered his men to search all of Echizen Province, seeking out and killing every last man and woman of the Ikko sect. While some may have survived, this was the definitive end of the sect; it ceased to exist in any large, organized way.

References

• Sansom, George (1961). 'A History of Japan 1334-1615.' Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.
• Turnbull, Stephen (2003). 'Japanese Warrior Monks AD 949-1603'. Oxford: Osprey Publishing.