Zenran, the eldest son of Shinran, founder of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism, was also known as Jishinbō and lived during the Kamakura period.

He was dispatched to the Kantō region to confront radical nembutsu practitioners promoting the concept of "licensed evil"—the idea that assured salvation permitted indulgence in evil deeds. While there, Zenran asserted that he had received secret teachings from his father and used this claim to build his own authority among the followers.

In 1256, Shinran formally disowned Zenran after he refused to abandon these activities. Shinran called upon the gods to witness that no such secret teachings had been given. The disownment resulted from Zenran's disruptive actions and his misleading of nembutsu adherents in Hitachi and Shimotsuke provinces.

Zenran’s teachings were deemed heretical for syncretizing popular folk religion with Pure Land Buddhist doctrine, generating significant confusion and conflict within his father's community. After his disownment, Zenran's influence waned and his sect collapsed.

He died in 1292. Zenran is frequently depicted as a figure who provoked theological and communal strife, culminating in his rejection by Shinran.