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Abstract
The goal of my thesis is to determine the possible causes of the perceived discrepancy between Hnen's teaching of exclusive vocal nembutsu and his personal religious practice post-departure from the Tendai sect. This thesis will argue that while Honen did have to censor his teachings in order to help his school gain legitimacy, he did not do so by compromising his faith. The supposed conflict between his message and his practice is primarily the result of interpreting his life and work through the lens of the more popular Shin school founded by Hnens most famous disciple, Shinran.