Shinjō Itō (伊藤真乗, March 28, 1906 – July 19, 1989) is the founder of the Buddhist school Shinnyo-en.
He was born in Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan. After a career as an aeronautic engineer, he dedicated himself to a religious life. He trained at the Daigo-ji monastery and became a Great Master (Great Acharya) of Shingon Buddhism, and founded Shinnyo-en in 1936.
Besides his work as a Great Buddhist Master and teacher, Ito is also known as a talented Buddhist sculptor and photographer. His works were featured in a Centennial Exhibition throughout Japan in 2006 and a major exhibit at the Milk Gallery in New York City in 2008. Other exhibitions include a solo exhibit at the Westwood Art Forum in Westwood, Los Angeles, California from May 8, 2008 – June 29, 2008.
Works
- Ito, Shinjo, Shinjo: Reflections, Somerset Hall Press, 2009.
Further reading
- Collins, Casey Ray (2015), Mapping the Garden of Truth: Buddhist and idiosyncratic elements in the religious space of Shinnyo-en, Vancouver: The University of British Columbia, doi:10.14288/1.0166249
- Dignan, Stephen (21 February 2008), "In Sculpture, Closer to Joy", THe New York Sun, retrieved 10 April 2012
- Yabuuchi, Y.; Miles, M. R.; Enomoto, T. (2008), The Vision and Art of Shinjo Ito, Alinari 24 Ore, ISBN 978-886302002-1
External links
- Official website
- Buddhist Master Shinjo Ito Honored at Milk Gallery, Art Knowledge News
- Shinjo Ito Center