Ippen [一遍] (1239–1289): Also known as Chishin. The founder of the Time (Ji) school, a school of the Pure Land teachings in Japan. He studied under Shōtatsu, a priest of the Seizan branch of the Pure Land (Jōdo) school, which Hōnen established. He returned to secular life in 1263 when his father died, but later resumed the role of priest. In 1275 he went to Kumano Shrine. There, it is said, he received a divine oracle, changed his name from Chishin to Ippen, and began to travel throughout many provinces, distributing talismans with an inscription indicating that the invocation of Namu Amida Butsu (“Homage to Amida Buddha”) will ensure rebirth in the Pure Land. The Time school considers Ippen’s receipt of this oracle as its founding. He also propagated the Pure Land teachings with the practice of “dancing Nembutsu” (odori-nembutsu), an invocation of Amida’s name performed while dancing to music in the streets. He was also known as Yugyō Shōnin, or the Wandering Sage.