Hōnen

Hōnen (1133-1212) was a Japanese Buddhist monk and the founder of the Pure Land sect of Buddhism in Japan. He emphasized the importance of faith in Amitabha Buddha and the practice of reciting his name as a means to achieve salvation and rebirth in the Pure Land, a place of enlightenment. Hōnen's teachings simplified Buddhist practice, making it more accessible to ordinary people, and encouraged a devotional approach rather than complex rituals. He is often celebrated for democratizing spirituality and promoting a direct faith-oriented path to enlightenment.