Key Shin Buddhist terms & names ...

Amida Buddha
The Buddha of Eternal Life and Infinite Light. The story of his attaining Buddhahood through completion of his 48 Primal Vows is narrated in the Larger Pure Land Sutra. 

Honen (1133-1212)
Generally considered the founder of the independent Pure Land Sect through his Treatise on the Nembutsu of the Select Primal Vow (Senjaku-hongan-nembutsu-shu). Shinran was one of six disciples who continued the teaching after the master's death. 

Honganji
Temple of the Primal Vow is one of the divisions of Jodo Shinshu. There are traditionally 10 branches of which the Honganji became the most dominant in Japan. It further divided into two branches, East and West. 

Jodo Shinshu
The term means True Teaching of the Pure Land (tradition). This term was appropriated by Shinran to denote his teaching in contrast to the other disciples of Honen. In the West, Shin Buddhism is commonly used. 

Larger Pure Land Sutra (Daimuryojukyo)
Exists in four Chinese translations. It depicts the attainment of enlightenment and Buddhahood (Amida) by the Bodhisattva Dharmakara (Hozo), providing the foundational story for the popular Pure Land Tradition. Along with The Pure Land Meditation Sutra and the Smaller Pure Land Sutra, it is one of the three texts central to it. The Meditation Sutra (also known as the Contemplation Sutra) outlines various meditations used to achieve visions of the Pure Land and Amida and gives reason for stressing recitation of the Name in popular practice. The Smaller Sutra describes the Pure Land.

Nembutsu
The term means "thinking on the Buddha." Originally, it referred to meditation but in the Pure Land tradition it came to signify the recitation of the name of Amida Buddha, in Japanese, Namu Amida Butsu. When recited with sincere faith, it was regarded as an easy means to be reborn in the Pure Land for ordinary people who could not participate in monastic discipline.

Pure Land (Jodo)
A spiritual realm entered after death which, because of its absolute purity, assures that the devotee will attain Nirvana and Buddhahood. Recitation of the Name with faith brings about this birth.