Ryohen (1194-1252) was famous as a leader of the Hosso (yogacara) denomination in the Kamakura Period. He was a noteworthy monk who typified the monks of the Nara area at that time and especially those of the Hosso denomination. Among his works, the "Kanjin-kakumu-sho" is said to be a fundamental book for the study of Hosso doctrine. Besides, he believed in Pure Land Buddhism and played an important role in the reformation. As a Nara area monk who believed in the Pure Land Buddhism from the end of the Heian period to the Kamakura period，Eikan (1033-1111) was famous, and later，Ryohen probably followed him. Therefore Ryohen was a remarkable monk who worked in these three fields, Hosso，Risshu and Pure Land Buddhism.
Ryohen's Pure Land Buddhism was influenced by his interpretation of the time. We can see his sincerity in his work，"Gojishobo-sho"，in which he sternly criticized the corruption of the monks of Nara. But，according to the copier's note，which is a comment written by the novice Nyusai，he interpreted the era not as the beginning of Mappo but as the end of Zobo，a concept which came from the traditions o the Hosso denomination. Since he desired the reformation of Buddhism，he criticized corruption very sternly. Perhaps this is one reason why he retired from the monk's hierarchical world and became a secluded monk close to the age of 50 although he had studied hard to get a higher position before then. Ceremonial service is very important in understanding the monks' hierarchical world of the Heian and the Kamakura periods. Anyway，most of his works were written after his seclusion.
"Ongon-sho" is one of them and was written in the second year of Kencho (1250). We know that his concept of Pure Land Buddhism was influenced by Hosso (yogacara) School. The doctrine of 'consciousness-only' was most influential in his thought. He concretely affirmed that one should cultivate a mind of compassion through observing defilement，suffering，purity and pleasure. We can count this concrete attitude as one of his characteristics.
It seems that he asserted that the Pure Land was in one's mind because he thought about it in terms of the doctrine of the 'consciousness-only'. He took the position that several other practices were also acceptable as the methods of reaching the Pure Land. We can also count this moderate view as one of his characteristics.
Ryohen emphasized the idea of compassion very much and this is also counted as one of his characteristics. The compassion appears as the practice of benefiting others. This kind of attitude was common in monks of the Risshu denomination in the Kamakura period，especially Kakujo and Eison. Ryohen was also a member of that denomination. We imagine that Ryohen emphasized it because he felt great sympathy with the Risshu denomination and had studied its importance. Eison was famous for practicing compassion and benefiting others. At any rate，Ryohen asserted that one should be born in the Pure Land to benefit others.
Thus, we can find out Ryohen's characteristics in his concrete methods of observation and his stand that one should be born in the Pure Land to benefit others.
