Jodo Buddhism was founded by Honen Shonin in 1175.  The founder was forty two years old at the time.   The essence of Honen's teachings was based upon the original vow of Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Life and Light, who sincerely aspire to save all sentient beings.

Rather than staying among the learned, Honen took the teachings to all classes of people, attaching little importance to complicated rituals and ceremonies.  This was revolutionary since Buddhism in Japan, in his time, was primarily taught to and practiced among the social and political elite.  Honen emphasized the practice of calling Amida Buddha's name (Namu Amida Butsu) wholeheartedly, and said that by so doing, salvation was secured.   His teachings soon spread all over Japan and in the course of over eight hundred years,  has found its way into Japanese culture and tradition.

The word Jodo, from which the name of the sect was derived, means "Pure Land," which is the name given to the Western Paradise or the realm of Amida Buddha.

Today, the teaching of Nenbutsu has spread to all corners of the world.  it was introduced to Hawaii in 1894.  Presently, there are 13 Jodo Shu temples serving members and communities throughout the Hawaiian islands.   All Jodo Mission temples extend their Aloha and welcome you to join in the temple services and other temple functions.   The following, lists our locations: