JIRIKI AND TARIKI

Jiriki and tariki are terms in Japanese Buddhism that classify how one becomes spiritually enlightened.  Jiriki means by one's own effort while tariki means by the power of another, what in Christianity would be called faith. 

The Japanese character "ji" means "self," and "riki" means "power."  "Ta" means "other, outside."  Jiriki and tariki have been part of Japanese Buddhism since Buddhism first arrived in Japan in the sixth century.

An example of jiriki is Zen, where the emphasis is placed on individual initiative and the need for working out one's own salvation.  Note that the idea of the individual being responsible for his own salvation is more typically found in original Buddhism, i.e. in the Theravada school.  Zen is Mahayanist. 

An example of tariki is Pure Land Buddhism.  Here, the individual does not save himself but relies instead upon the Amitaba Buddha.