|
In the time of disunity and violence, deepening pessimism increased the
appeal of the search for salvation. Kamakura was the age of the great
popularization of Buddhism. Two new sects, Jodo (Pure Land) and Zen
(Meditation), dominated the period. The old Heian sects had been quite
esoteric and appealed more to the intellectuals than to the masses. The
Mount Hiei monasteries had become politically powerful but appealed
primarily to those capable of systematic study of the sect's teachings.
This situation gave rise to the Jodo sect, based on unconditional faith
and devotion and prayer to Amida Buddha. Zen rejected all temporal and
scriptural authority, stressing moral character rather than intellectual
attainments, an emphasis that appealed to the military class. Growing
numbers of the military class turned to Zen masters, regarded as
embodiments of truth.
|
