Shinran broke his vows of
celibacy by marrying the nun, Eshinni in 1210. It is
understood that Shinran viewed marriage as a turning point
when he abandoned the traditional life of a Buddhist
priest.
Eshinni was born in Niigata Prefecture in 1182. Little is
known about her, except through ten letters she wrote to
her daughter, Kakushinni, during the last years of her
life. These letters were discovered in the Hongwanji
(mother temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect in Kyoto, Japan)
archives in 1921. The letters offer us a glimpse into the
world of Buddhism, as practiced by ordinary women of this
time, which would have been otherwise hidden in the shadows
of a history chronicled mainly by men. In the letters,
Eshinni conveys her deep reverence for her husband.
Besides allowing us insight into Shinran, the letters also
tell us much about Eshinni’s life as an independent woman,
managing land and servants and coping with famine during
the 13th century. Eshinni did not depend on her husband for
a living, instead, she supported Shinran financially and
materially. Eshinni clearly followed her husband’s view
that marriage was not an impediment to being a nun and to
following her religious beliefs.
Eshinni died at about age 89 in Niigata prefecture.
As Eshinni is revered for her dedication to Shinran during
his productive years, her daughter, Kakushinni is known for
being her father’s caregiver in his final years. She was
about 30 years old when Shinran died at the age of 90. And
after Shinran’s death, Kakushinni is revered for planting
the seeds of organization and propagation that were to grow
into today’s Hongwanji.
Congregations began to follow the couples example, whereby
men and women led Shin temples as husband-and-wife teams.
Many regard Eshinni as the "Mother" of Jodo Shinshu.
"Dear Wakasa,
I often think of your children and would like to hear the
most recent news about them. I would really like to know
about your oldest child. Oh, will there ever be a chance
for me to visit you, or for you to come to see me once more
while I am alive? Most likely not! I am ready to go to the
land of bliss at any moment. In the land of bliss we will
be able to know everything clearly, so I hope that you
shall live the life of nembutsu and come join me there. I
know that if we can meet in the land of bliss, everything
will become clear."
-- Eshinni, age 87 or 88
From THE LIFE OF ESHINNI, WIFE OF SHINRAN, by Yoshiko Ohtani, English translation by Taitetsu Unno