Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Date

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Liberal Studies

Department

Liberal Studies

Committee Chair

Kevin Taylor

Committee Member

Jermey Killian

Committee Member

Thomas Calobrisi

Abstract

Both Hakuin Ekaku 白隠慧鶴 (1685 – 1768) and Rennyo Shōnin 蓮如上人 (1415 – 1499) used different Buddhist practices to achieve enlightenment. The soteriological practice of Zen Buddhism, understood as kenshō 見性, or “seeing into one’s nature,” and the soteriological practices of Pure Land Buddhism, understood as anjin 安心, or “the settled mind,” are often viewed as opposites because they purport that the practitioner reaches enlightenment through two different means. Rinzai Zen Buddhism claims to obtain kenshō through jiriki 自力, or self-power. The Buddhist practitioner uses their own effort to break through barriers and obtain for themselves, on their own behalf, their own enlightenment experience. The Pure Land Buddhist obtains enlightenment or anjin through tariki 他力, or other-power. Several teachings endorse the concept of other-power, but Jōdo Shinshū relies on the nembutsu. Nembutsu is the recitation of a homage to Amida Buddha. Namu Amida butsu 南無阿弥陀仏, often translated as “I take refuge in Amida Buddha”, is recited by Pure Land practitioners in the hope that they will be reborn in the Pure Land after their death, where they can achieve final enlightenment. This dissertation is thus an informative treatment of the methodological distinction of self-power and other-power using Hakuin and Rennyo as case studies. I will evaluate their works to understand the soteriological differences and similarities of the enlightenment practices of Zen and Pure Land Buddhism by focusing on kenshō and anjin. This dissertation will examine self and other power by looking at the overall philosophy in terms of its relative dualism, world-returner status, and single practice. Despite their appearance, their dissimilarity we can see that they have these aspects in common. Thus, these strong binaries that we see in the academic literature are not present in the lived experiences on Rennyo, Hakuin, and Buddhist practitioners.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest/Clarivate.

Notes

Open Access

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