Description: In this book, Mark Blum offers a critical look at the thought and impact of the late 13th-century Buddhist historian Gyonen (1240-1321) and the emergent Pure Land school of Buddhism founded by Honen (1133-1212). Blum also provides a clear and fully annotated translation of Gyonen's Jodo homon genrusho, the first history of Pure Land Buddhism.
Review Quotes: "...an important contribution to the ongoing re-investigation of our assumptions about the character of Japanese Buddhism in that era." --eligious Studies Review
"Mark Blum's superb book is the first Western study of Gy-onen and the first translation of Gy-onen's history of Pure Land Buddhism, the J-odo Ho-mon Genrush-o . . . . how grateful we should be to Mark Blum for his exhaustive work in offering a study and translation of Gy-onen that is worthy of his legacy."-- The Journal of Religion