Honen (1212-1133) founded the Jodoshu in 1175 when he encountered Shan-tao's (613-681) Kuan ching shu (Chapter on Non-meditative Good). Ever since then, Honen declared that he "relies wholly on one master, Shan-tao," and maintained this position without change. When he lectured on the three Pure Land sutras, he stated that "I will set forth my foolish thoughts relying primarily on Shan-tao and secondarily on the other masters," and sought to interpret the sutras on the basis of Shan-tao. He thereby refused to engage in groundless exegesis. Thus it goes without saying that when Honen compiled his major work, the Senchakushu, he based himself on the Kuan ching shu, one of Shan-tao's works (the so-called "five works in nine fascicles"). It can...