The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light was translated into English by the late Rev. Master Jiyu Kennett of the Shasta Abbey Zen Buddhist Monastery from the original writings of Master Keizan Zenji. Master Kennett, a late twentieth century Buddhist Master, felt that the long sentences of Buddhist writings would be difficult and annoying for many English readers, but she refused to apologize for these insisting that it was within those long sentences that the many facets and degrees of stillness could be found.
The Preservation of the Lineage
It was the Great Master Keizan Zenji who realized that the lineage of the Zen Ancestors could be lost if it were not recorded. He began writing The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light in the 14th century with a special emphasis on preserving the moment that each of the Zen Ancestors received enlightenment.
Master Keizan Zenji entered the monastery Eiheiji at a very young age. He was born in Fukui Prefecture in 1267 and entered as a young boy. Learning from two great contemporaries of his time – Koun Ejyo and Tettsu Gikai, he has become one of the most beloved Zen Masters.
Writing many works in his life, he is best known for having originated and written most of the religious ceremonies utilized today in Soto Zen Buddhism, but he is also credited with the Sankon-Zazen-Setsu and Denkoroku.
Fifty Two Patriarchs
It was not an easy task to do, but Master Keizan Zenji recorded the moment of transmission between Master and Disciple for each of the Fifty Two Patriarchs. These Patriarchs are most often referred to as the Ancestors of Zen, and in Buddhism there is a great deal of respect accorded to the sequence of the teachings. It is not unlike the Apostolic Succession in Catholic Christianity.
Saint Daitaka, The Fifth Ancestor
“Daitaka said, ‘The one who leaves home to become a monk has no attachment to a self or to a world of selves; his Original Nature is not born does it perish, this is the way things are in truth. All the Buddhas are also just like this; their Oirignal Nature has not form or characteristics and Their bodies are no different.’ Buakikuta said, ‘You must awaken to your own TRUE SELF; you must penetrate all the way to IT!’ whereupon Daitaka had a great awakening to his TRUE SELF.” The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light.
Born under Auspicious circumstances, Ubakikuta’s father claims that he had dreamt that a golden sun shone forth from his house illuming the heavens and the earth with its splendour. At the same a mountain of great size covered in many kinds of jewels burst through, as a mountain spring gushed forth in massive amounts trickling off into four directions. Saint Daitaka had his own interpretation of this vision:
“The towering mountain,
bejeweled with the seven gems,
Ceaselessly gives forth
A spring of discerning wisdom;
Flowing out,
Its flavour is that of the true Teaching
Whose power liberates
All who are karmically drawn to it.”
Daitaka
“Reach the VERY MARROW
and you will know the splendour and clarity
of THAT which you have realized;
Even so, the master artisan Lun-pien
Encountered such wondrous subtleties
That they lay beyond his expression.
Keizan Zenji summarizes the teaching of DaitakaUbakikuta
Sources: The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light – Keizan Zenji, Shasta Abbey Buddhist Monastery
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