Ojoyoshu (The Essentials of Salvation) (往生要集)
Ojoyoshu is a Buddhism book in one part and three volumes compiled in 985 by Genshin (priest), a Sozu (the Prelate) in Eshinin Temple at Yokawa on Mt. Hiei, in which he collected important passages relating to gokuraku ojo (the Pure Land of Amitabha where the dead are allowed to live peacefully), extracting from many sources such as Buddhist scriptures and instructions in terms of the Jodo Sect.
He laid the foundation of the Jodo Sect by preaching that there is no other way but praying to Amitabha wholeheartedly to be granted the gokuraku ojo posthumously.
The spirits of onri-edo (abhorring this impure world) and gongu-jodo (seeking rebirth in the Pure Land) preached in this book also spread among the nobility and common people, having a big influence on literary thought later.
As shown in the last passage, soon after this book had been compiled, SHU Buntoku, a lay Buddhist in Taizhou Prefecture Northern Song, went to Kokusei-ji Temple on Mt. Tendai with this book to be respected by many monks and seculars in China, with the result that this book contributed to the resurrection of the Buddhism doctrine in China, which had been scattered and lost due to the confusion at the end of the Tang and Wudai Shiguo period after the persecution of Buddhists in the Huichang era.
Content
The First Volume
The first chapter (onri-edo) describes the abhorrence of this impure world and preaches the Rokudo (six posthumous realms) of Hell, preta realm, animal realm, Asura realm, Human realm and blissful realm.
The second chapter (gongu-jodo) is about seeking rebirth in the Pure Land, explaining ten kinds of pleasure obtained in the Pure Land of Amitabha.
The third chapter (Gokuraku-shoko) describes the justice of "gokuraku ojo".
The fourth chapter (Shoshu nenbutsu) encourages practicing correct Buddhist invocation and suggests the path leading to the jodo ojo (the pure land of Amitabha).
The Second Volume
The fifth chapter (Jonenhoho) explains the methodology of Buddhist invocation and ascetic practices.
The sixth chapter (Betsuji Nenbutsu) is about the Buddhist invocation prayed at person's death.
The Third Volume
The seventh chapter (nenbutsu riyaku(benefit)) explains the blessings given by intoning the Buddhist invocation.
The eighth chapter (nenbutsu shoko) describes the merits of intoning the Buddhist invocation.
The ninth chapter (Ojo-shogyo) explains the tolerance of Amitabha.
The tenth chapter (Mondo Ryoken) describes the excellence of the Buddhist invocation through exchanging questions and answers.
Main References
Muryojyu-kyo, Bussetsu Muryoju-kyo (Sutra of Immeasurable Life)
The Kanmuryoju-kyo sutra ('The Sutra of Visualization of the Buddha of Measureless Life,' meaning Amida)
Daihoshaku-kyo Sutra (Daebojeokgyeong Sutra)
Hanju Zanmai-kyo Sutra (Sutra of the Meditation to Behold the Buddhas)
Myohorenge-kyo Sutra (Lotus Sutra)
Amida kuonjo-kyo (The Sutra on the Dharani of Amida Drum-Sound King)
Daihokobutsu-kegon-kyo Sutra (Avatamsaka Sutra)
Kanbutsu Zanmai-kyo Sutra (Also known as Kanbutsu Zanmaikai-kyo (the Sutra on the Ocean-like Samadhi of Contemplation of Buddhas))
Daijkkyo Sutra (Mahsamnipata sutra)
Byodo gakkyo (The Sutra on the Equal Enlightenment)
Dai-hannyahatamitsu-kyo Sutra (Also known as Daihannyakyo (Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra))
Juojo-kyo Sutra (the Sutra on the Ten Ways of Attaining Birth)
Daihatsu-nehan-gyo Sutra (Nirvana Sutra)
Daijo honsho shinjikangyo (An 8-fascicle sutra)
Butsuzokyo (The Buddha Repository Sutra)
Shobonenjo-kyo Sutra (Meditation on the Correct Teaching Sutra)
Daihi-kyo Sutra (Sutra of the Great Compassion)
Bonmo-kyo Sutra (Sutra of Brahma's Net)
Ubasokukai-kyo Sutra (The Sutra on Upasaka (devout male lay follower of Buddhism) Precepts)
Daichidoron (Commentary on the Great Wisdom Sutra)
Jujubibasharon (the Discourse on the Ten Stages)
Muryoju-kyo Ubadaisha Ganshoge (Upadesa on the Sutra of Immeasurable Life)
Yugashijiron (Discourse on the Stages of Concentration Practice)
Shakujodo Gungi-ron (the Discourse Answering Questions)
Kasai Jodo-ron (the Pure Land Treatise written by Kasai)
Makashikan (Mahayana Practice of Cessation and Contemplation)
Anrakushu (A Collection of Passages Concerning Birth in the Pure Land)
Ojoraisan-ge (Hymns of Birth in the Pure Land)
Kannen-bomon (the Method of Contemplation on Amida)
Saiho Yoketsu (Essentials for Birth in the Western Land)
Jodo Jugi ron (Ten Doubts on the Pure Land)
Ojo-ron-shaku (Commentary on Treatise on the Sutra of Immeasurable Life) (by Chiko)
Gokuraku Jodo Kuhon Ojogi (a text on the nine grades of rebirth in gokuraku jodo (the Pure Land of Amitabha) specified in the Kanmuryoju-kyo sutra (The Sutra of Visualization of the Buddha of Measureless Life)) (by Ryogen)