The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light was written by the Master Keizan Zenji starting in the first lunar month of 1300. The purpose of The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light was to commemorate and remember the line of ancestors in the Zen Buddhist tradition all the way back to Shakyamuni Buddha who had received the transmission of the teachings directly from the previous patriarch and experienced enlightenment.
Keizan Zenji
Born in Fukui Prefecture in 1267, Master Zenji entered a monastery – Eiheiji – and learned from Koun Ejyo and Tettsu Gikai. He became one of the greatest of the Soto Zen Ancestors and became Chief Abbot of Shogakuji in 1321 shortly thereafter renaming the temple Shogaku-zan Sojiji which later was made one of the two primary temples in Japan for the Soto Zen Church.
Zenji wrote many works including the Sankon-Zazen-Setsu, Denkoroku and most of the religious ceremonies used in the Soto Zen Tradition.
Denkoroku
The Denkoroku records the moment when the Way was transmitted from teacher to disciple for each of the fifty two patriarchs. In each story, there is a narrative of the moment the student received the Way, short biographical information and a set of verses summarizing that particular Patriarch’s teaching.
Saint Makakashyo, The First Ancestor
“One day, the World-honoured One offered up a flower with a twinkle in His eye; Makakshyo’s face broke out in a smile. The World-honoured One said, “I have the EYE AND TREASURY OF THE TRUE LAW, the wondrous HEART of nirvana, which I Transmit to Makakshyo.” The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light. Since that time, the offering up of a flower has been passed during the transmission from ancestor to ancestor .
His Indian name, Kasyapa, meant ‘He of the Tortoise of the the Black-Toothed Clan,’ but he was renamed as Makakashyo meaning ‘The Victorious and Esteemed Drinker of Light.’ He was given this name because at the time of his birth, a profound light entered the room and poured into Makakashyo’s mouth.
“Ever do I abide on Vulture Peak
As well as in my other dwelling places;
Come the time when sentient beings see the aeon spent
And great fires consume the world,
This land of Mine will be safe and peaceful,
Filled with heavenly beings and humans”
Makakashyo
“Know that hidden deep within
the cloud-enshrouded valley
There still remains the SACRED PINE
Enduring through the chill of time.”
Keizan Zenji summarizes the teaching of Makakashyo
Sources: The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light – Keizan Zenji, Shasta Abbey Buddhist Monastery
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