[paragraph continues] Chinese and Japanese predecessors of Shinran Shonin, who like him preached the true doctrine of salvation by faith. And of these we regard the following seven as most contributing to the development of the teaching of the True Sect: that is, in India we have Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu; in China, Donran (T'an-luan), Doshaku (Taoch'ao), and Zendo (Shan-tao); and in Japan, Genshin and Genku (also called Honen). They are designated the Seven Fathers (Koso, meaning "great patriarchs") of the True Sect. Each one of them left special writings elucidating the faith and philosophy of it; they are:

Nagarjuna--"Dashabhumi-vibhasha-shastra," the ninth chapter on "The Easy Practice."

Nagarjuna--"The Twelve Reverences" (Jyuni-rai).

Vasubandhu--"Discourse on Pure Land."

Donran--"Commentary" on the

above work by Vasubandhu. 2 vols.

Donran--"Hymn Praising Amida Buddha."

Doshaku--"On Peace and Joy" (Anrakushu). 2 vols.

Zendo--"A Commentary on the Amitayurdhyana-sutra." 4 vols.

Zendo--"The Jodo-hoji-san."

Zendo--"The Kwannen-homon."

Zendo--"The Wojo-raisan."

Zendo--"The Hanju-san."

Genshin--"The Wojo-yoshu." 3 vols.

Genku--"The Senjaku-hongwan-nembutsu-shu; 2 vols.

From this, it is evident that the fundamental truth of the True Sect was first taught by Shakyamuni himself, which was later developed in detail and made more manifest by these seven fathers of the Sect, while Shinran Shonin synthesised all these teachings severally brought forward by his predecessors into one system and gave it the name of the

[paragraph continues] True Sect of Pure Land, whereby the doctrine of salvation by faith gained a new and deeper and clearer significance. In this sense, therefore, he is the founder of the True Sect, and his work on the "Doctrine, Practice, Faith, and Attainment" of the True Sect is its fundamental book. As to the other authoritative books published later than the one just mentioned, we have had occasion to refer to them in a previous chapter.