 In Jōdo Shinshū, he is considered the Fifth Patriarch.Shandao was born in what is now present Zhucheng.When he was young, he entered the priesthood and devoted himself to the study of the "Infinite Life" and "Vimalakirti Sutra"s. One day, in the year 641, he visited the temple of the famous Pure Land master Daochao, who happened to be giving a lecture on the "Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra".