Myokoninden - Biography of a Myokonin

Japanese: 妙好人伝 - みょうこうにんでん

This is a collection of biographies of devout Shinshu believers. The first volume was compiled by the Gosein of Josenji Temple of the Honganji sect, volumes 2-5 were compiled by the monk Jun of Senjoji Temple of the same sect, and there is a sequel by Matsumae Zo'o (unknown). It was published between 1842 and 1858 (Tenpo 13-Ansei 5). It has been reprinted and reprinted three times since the Meiji era. A total of 157 people appear in all six volumes, 41% of which are farmers and 16% are merchants, all of whom are from the Edo period. Myokonin was originally a term used to praise ordinary Nembutsu practitioners, but after publishing this book, it became another name for devout Shinshu believers. All of them are sincere followers of Nembutsu, aware that they are evil people with deep earthly desires, and are deeply satisfied with their real lives because they believe wholeheartedly in Amida Buddha's original vow for salvation. However, on the other hand, they also show signs of adapting to the government officials, head temples, and head priests of their times, observing morality, and accepting a life of endurance.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

真宗篤信者の伝記集。初編は本願寺派浄泉寺仰誓編，第2～5編は同派専精寺僧純編，その他に松前象王(未詳)による続編がある。1842‐58年(天保13‐安政5)の間に板行。のち明治以後も再三重版されている。全6編に登場する人数は157名で，農民が41％，商人が16％を占め，すべて江戸時代の人たちである。妙好人とは，本来一般の念仏者を褒賞する語であったが，本書板行後は真宗篤信者の別称になった。いずれも真摯な他力念仏者で，みずからを煩悩（ぼんのう）深い悪人と自覚し，ひたすら阿弥陀仏の救済の本願を信じて現実生活に深い充足感をもつが，一面ではその時代の為政者や本山･門主等への順応，道徳生活の遵守，忍従生活の甘受もみられる。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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