was a Japanese Buddhist philosopher and priest of the à Âtani-ha of Jà Âdo Shinshà « Buddhism. He served as the 17th president of à Âtani University from 1961 to 1967.
Soga was born in the city of Niigata, Niigata Prefecture. He graduated from Shinshu University, later known as à Âtani University, in 1901, after which he returned to Niigata and became the adopted son-in-law of the priest of Jà Â'on-ji, a Buddhist temple in Mitsuke, Niigata.
Soga returned to study at à Âtani University and became a disciple of Kiyozawa Manshi (1863 – 1903), and a member of à Âtani-ha. He was a professor at Toyo University from 1916 to 1924, and then a professor at à Âtani University for 25 years.
Soga Ryà Âjin developed a subjective and personal approach to Jà Âdo Shinshà « studies, building on the thought of Kiyozawa Manshi, which he summarised in the words; "We do not believe in Buddha or God because they actually exist; they exist because we believe in them." Soga's writing on the topic in his book Nyorai hyà Âgen no hanchà « to shiteno sanjinkan, published in 1928, brought him into strong conflict with his denomination. He left his professorship at à Âtani University soon after in April 1930.
Soga differentiated the Jà Âdo Shinshà « perspective from the "Pure Land as mind alone" doctrine found in some Pure Land and Zen schools:
After leaving à Âtani, Soga founded the Koho Gakuen in Kyoto with his close friend, the scholar Kaneko Daiei (1881 – 1976). Soga returned as a professor at à Âtani University in 1941. He served as the 17th president of the university from 1961 to 1967.
Soga died on June 20, 1971.