Rennyo 莲如
Rennyo(莲如) (1415–1499) was the 8th Monshu, or head-priest, of the Honganji Temple of the Jōdo Shinshū sect of Buddhism, and descendant of founder Shinran. Jodo Shinshu Buddhists often referred to as the restorer of the sect (Chūkō no so(中兴の祖) in Japanese). He was also known as Shinshō-in (信证院), and posthumously Etō Daishi (慧灯大师). During the conflict of the Onin War and the subsequent warfare that spread throughout Japan, Rennyo was able to unite most of the disparate factions of the Jodo Shinshu sect under the Honganji, reform existing liturgy and practices, and broaden support among different classes of society. Through Rennyo's efforts, Jodo Shinshu grew to become the largest, most influential Buddhist sect in Japan.