Shinran (1173-1262) was a disciple of Honen and is considered the founder of Jodo Shinshu which is known in the West as Shin (Buddhist) Tradition or the "True Pure Land Tradition." Shinran whose childhood name was Matsuwakamaru was born near Kyotoas the eldest son of Hino Arinori. Shinran was separate from his parents at a very young age. Later at the age of 9, he was ordained by Jien of the Shoren-in temple in Kyoto. He then went to Mt. Hiei where he practiced Buddhist disciplines for 20 years. However, after trying for 20 years, he found himself no closer to enlightenment than the day he started. At an impasse he decided on a pilgrimage/retreat at which he paid nightly visits to the Rokkakudo Temple in the city of Kyoto at which was enshrined the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva who represents Amida Buddha's Compassion and was founded by Prince Shotoku. We are told that on the dawn of the 95th day he received words of inspiration, which directed him to Honen. Inspired by Honen's teaching, Shinran became a Pure Land nembutsu follower.

When the nembutsu teaching was persecuted in 1207, Honen was exiled to Tosa (Shikoku Island) and Shinran to Echigo (Niigata Prefecture). There he married Eshinni. He was the first monk to officially and publically marry. In 1211, Honen and his followers were pardoned. In 1214, Shinran and his family move to Hitachi (Ibaragi Prefecture), northeast of Tokyo. It was at this point in his life that he began writing his major work "The Teaching, Practice and Realization of the Pure Land Way" which he would finished after he returned to Kyoto at about the age of 62. Most of Shinran's literary activity occurred during this latter part of his life until he died or attained birth in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha at age 90. He referred to himself as 'Gutoku Shinran' or "Ignorant stubble-hair Shinran." However, this did not mean he was not well versed actually he is regarded as a very important historical figure of the Kamakura Period of Japanese History and a revolutionary figure in the history of Buddhism. It should be mentioned though that Shinran had no intention of founding a new sect or denomination, but his descendents eventually formed a Sangha after his death which in time became the largest Pure Land denomination, notably through the efforts of the eighth Monshu or Spiritual Head of the Tradition Rennyo (1415-1499). Today, the Nishi Hongwanji or Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, is the largest of the Shinshu sects with more than 10,000 temples in Japan and abroad, and the second largest, the Higashi Hongwanji or Shinshu Otani-ha, has nearly the same number of temples and members.