This is an eclectic and experimental comparative philosophical analysis of the soteriological thought of Rennyo Shōnin, the eighth monshu of the Honganji temple of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism, and Plotinus, the founder of Neoplatonism. Both thinkers emphasize the necessity of an understanding that transcends mere intellectual knowledge in the liberative process. Rennyo’s soteriology, articulated through his “fivefold method,” underscores the importance of past good conditions (shukuzen), the role of the good teacher (zenchishiki), and active discourse in realizing faith (shinjin or anjin) leading to birth in the Pure Land. Similarly, Plotinus highlights the dialectic as a means of spiritual ascent, where the teacher acts as a philosophical midwife guiding the soul toward union with the One. By focusing on three key elements—understanding, the role of the teacher, and spiritual ascent—this paper explores the parallels between Rennyo’s soteriology and Plotinus’ idea of ascent. This comparative study offers a new systematic expression of Rennyo’s soteriological model and its potential parallels to the Neoplatonic dialectic, illustrating how both traditions perceive wisdom beyond intellectual knowledge and the transformative power of discourse in guiding individuals from ignorance to liberation.