Even though he belongs to the direct line of disciples of Shinran, Hongan-ji Temple at the time of Rennyo's birth was in an extreme state of decline in contrast to other schools of Buddhism and other sects within Jodoshin-shu, such Shinshu Bukkoji Sect in particular, that were flourishing.
親鸞の直系とはいえ蓮如が生まれた時の本願寺は、他宗や浄土真宗他派、特に真宗佛光寺派の興隆に対し、衰退の極みにあった。