Who is who in Jodo Shinshu

Amida Buddha
Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life; central image of reverence; Namo Amida Butsu; Tathagata

Sakyamuni Buddha
Sakyamuni Buddha lived in the sixth century B.C. and attained enlightenment. He taught Buddhism as a way to teach other people how to become enlightened.

Shinran Shonin 1173-1262 A.D.
Founder of Jodo Shinshu and one of the great figures of Japanese Buddhism.

Rennyo Shonin 1411-1499 A.D.
The eighth hereditary Gomonshu of Jodoshinshu was largely responsible for the restoration of Jodoshinshu teachings as a major force in Japanese Buddhism and for organizing the sect into its present form.

Shotoku Taishi 572-622 A.D.
An Imperial Prince, the second son of Emperor Yomei. An ardent Buddhist and strong supporter of its acceptance and dissemination in Japan. He is regarded as the Father of Japanese Buddhism.

The Seven Patriarchs
The seven spiritual masters of the Pure Land teaching, according to Shinran.
India:
Nagarjuna (Ryuju) 2nd-3rd century A.D.
Vasubandhu (Tenjin) 5th century A.D.
China:
T’an Luan (Donran} 476-542 A.D.
Tao ch’o (Doshaku) 562-654 A.D.
Shan tao (Zendo) 613-681 A.D.
Japan: Genshin (Genshin) 942-1017 A.D.
Honen (Honen) 1133-1212 A.D.

Gomonshu-sama
Title of the spiritual leader of Nishi Hongwanji-ha (direct descendent of Shinran Shonin), whose headquarters are in Kyoto, Japan.

Shonin (as in Shinran Shonin)
Title, which can be translated as “the venerable master”.