Zendou　善導

KEY WORD :　art history / iconography

Commonly known as Zendou Daishi 善導大師 or Great Master Zendou (Ch: Shantao, 613-81). The third patriarch of Pure Land, Joudo 浄土 Buddhism in China, and a seminal theologian for the founders of Japanese Pure Land sects. Disciple of Daozhuo (Jp: Doushaku 道綽; 562-645) and the follower of Tanluan (Jp: Donran 曇鸞, 476-542), Zendou is known for his commentaries on the Meditation Sutra KANMURYOUJUKYOU SHO 観無量寿経疏 in which he stressed chanting the name of *Amida 阿弥陀, together with reciting sutras, meditation, workship of images, and singing. *Hounen 法然 (1133-1212) considered Zendou an incarnation of Amida and his writing as scripture. Images of Zendou are included in paintings of Five Patriarchs of Pure Land *Joudo Goso 浄土五祖, and in individual portraits. Typically he is shown with half his body covered with gold in accordance with the image of Zendou as he appeared in a dream to Hounen. Zendou is often also depicted with tiny Amidas emerging from his mouth. This image is based on the Japanese legend that when he said the prayer to Amida, nenbutsu 念仏, a golden light emerged from his mouth. Sculptors, unable to represent light, depicted tiny Amidas instead. The "portrait" of Zendou at Chionji 智恩寺in Kyoto, is the best known example and was probably based on a Northern Song dynasty prototype brought to Japan.

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