Zennyo (善如)
Zennyo was a monk of Jodo Shinshu (the True Pure Land Sect of Buddhism) during the period of the Northern and Southern Courts (Japan). His father was Jukaku. He was the fourth head of Hongan-ji Temple.
Biography
On this page it is shown in the old calendar style for the sake of the accuracy of the calendar, and to maintain coordination with the book, the name of a Japanese era of the period of the Northern and Southern Courts is shown in style of the Northern Dynasty (Kyoto).
He was born on February 2, 1333 (February 24, 1333 in new calendar).
He had studied the Tendai sect at Shoren-in Temple since his childhood.
In 1350 he succeeded the position of Betto shoku of Hongan-ji Temple from Kakunyo.
In 1359, he asked Zonkaku to reorganize Tandokumon (In Praise of the Virtue (of the Venerable Master Shinran)), and since then it has been said that it was decided to be read at Hoon-ko (a memorial service for Shinran).
He died on February 29, 1389 (April 4, 1389 in new calendar), when he was 57 years old (as counted the old Japanese way).