Myokonin

The Myokonin (Jp: 妙好人, myōkōnin) are famous, pious followers of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Japanese Buddhism. Myokonin are typically uneducated peasants, but whose faith has become an example for other Jodo Shinshu followers. The etymology of the term "myokonin" means "wonderfully fragant person" referring to his sincere faith and how it exudes from his character.

Myokonin were largely unheard of in the West until they were introduced by D.T. Suzuki in his lectures and writings on Jodo Shinshu. Most Myokonin left behind very little writing, but in the case of Saichi, he left behind a prolific amount of poetry expressing his devotion to Amida Buddha.

Myokonin have been documented through Japanese history, from the Tokugawa Period to the modern period.

References

Suzuki, Daisetz T. (2002). Buddha of Infinite Light: The Teachings of Shin Buddhism, the Japanese Way of Wisdom and Compassion. Shambhala; New Ed edition. pp. 69–84. ISBN 1570624569.