Shinnyo-en's story began in 1936. Shinjo Ito was enjoying a comfortable career as an aircraft engineer, but felt a strong desire to pursue Buddhism and guide people to happiness.

Shinjo Ito studied Shingon, a major school of Japanese Buddhism, with the guidance of a genuine teacher and the support of his wife Tomoji. He searched for a sacred Buddhist text that would make Shingon Buddhism accessible to laypeople and concluded that the Nirvana Sutra was the perfect text.

Shinjo believed in the Buddhist principle of interdependence and directed his energy to helping people cultivate their potential for spiritual awakening.

Today, Shinnyo-en is led by Her Holiness Shinso Ito, Shinjo's direct successor. Shinso was born in Japan in 1942, the daughter of Shinjo and Tomoji. She began her formal Buddhist training as a child under the care of her parents, who were also her primary spiritual teachers, and eventually became their formal and spiritual successor.

While Shinso draws inspiration from Buddhist tradition, she is profoundly aware that the teachings must be meaningful for people living today. She teaches an engaged form of Buddhism, that guides both the individual and Shinnyo-en as a whole. Shinso preserves the spirit of the founders of Shinnyo-en and guides people with her warmth and conviction. Her inspiring message of peace and enlightenment is infused with palpable joy and gentleness.