THE FOUNDER AND
PRESENT HEAD OF SHINNYO-EN

Shinjo Ito, the founder of Shinnyo-en, was born on March 28, 1906, in Yamanashi, Japan, into a religious family.

/> From an early age, he felt a calling steering him toward spirituality. Despite being an ordinary family man and working as an engineer, he used all the knowledge and piety passed on to him to encourage others, listen to their worries, and give advice. In the unsettled and anxious social climate of Japan just before World War II, he started to give counsel concerning personal and professional problems during his spare time. These opportunities increased the momentum that led to his eventual commitment to the Buddhist path in order to further realize his unfolding mission to live for the sake of others.

Founder Shinjo was ordained into the priesthood in Kyoto at the Daigoji monastery of Shingon Buddhism and was renamed "Shinjo" (meaning "true vehicle"). The training in Shingon is said to awaken the cosmic self (one's Buddha potential and the source of innate spiritual power).

His mastery of Shingon esoteric Buddhism qualified him to start his own lineage, or denomination, and after World War II, he and his followers branched off to become administratively independent. In 1952, they had to reincorporate as a religious body under new laws concerning the registration of religious organizations, and the name "Shinnyo-en" was chosen and registered with the authorities. This new start paved the way for the shift toward making the path (and enlightenment) as accessible to lay devotees as it was to monastics.

/> Founder Shinjo's wife Tomoji Ito (also known by her religious name Shoju-shin-in) also played an important role in the establishment and systemization of the organization and training methods. She became Head of Shinnyo-en in 1952 and assisted Founder Shinjo in developing the path until her passing in 1967. Her way of being also demonstrated the Buddhist teaching in full flower. Founder Shinjo often said, "If you would like to know how to apply Buddhism, observe Shojushinin."

/> Since the passing of Founder Shinjo in 1989, Shinnyo-en has been led by his successor, Shinso Ito (also known as Keishu, meaning "successor") who was the most qualified of his disciples. She was also recognized as such by Daigoji, which bestowed her with the same priestly rank as Founder Shinjo, her father. For devotees, they are contemporary Buddhist masters, successors of an unbroken line going all the way back to the Buddha Shakyamuni, and models for understanding how to apply the Buddha's teachings to modern life.

Read a message from the Head Of Shinnyo-en

THE FOUNDER AND PRESENT HEAD OF SHINNYO-EN

THE FOUNDER AND
PRESENT HEAD OF SHINNYO-EN