Shakyamuni Buddha was the originator and Master in the line of 52 Ancestors or Patriarchs - as they have been called - in the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition. Each successive ancestor represents a generation of the teaching of the UNBORN and how it was passed down to each successive Master in the line of the transmission. Although not much is known about the lives of many of these great Patriarchs, the moment of transmission was preserved due to the diligent efforts of the Master Keizan Zenji when in 1300 he began writing The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light to record each moment of enlightenment for future generations of monks.
Origination of Soto Zen Ceremonies
Most of the religious ceremonies used in the Soto Zen Tradition were written by the Master Keizan Zenji who was author of many works including the Sankon-Zazen-Setsu and Denkoroku.
Becoming Chief Abbot of Shogakuji Monastery in 1321, he’d lived a life of great devotion to reach this great pinnacle. In 1267, he was born in the Fukui Prefecture. Entering a monastery in Eiheiji, he learned from Koun Ejyo and Tettsu Gikai. He became one of the greatest of the Soto Zen Ancestors with his greatest work having been to document the line of the transmission of the Way all the way back to Shakyamuni Buddha. The Shogakuji Monastery was later made one of the two primary temples in Japan for the Soto Zen Church.
Transmission of the Way
Recording the actual moment in which the Way was transmitted from one successive generation of Masters to the next The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light shows the continuum of Zen Transmission for 52 generations. Every story contains the exact narrative on record as to the exact manner in which each of the great ancestors and patriarchs received the TEACHING and understood the UNBORN.
Saint Ryozan Enkan, The Forty Second Ancestor
“Whilst training, Ryozan attended on Kanshi. One day Kanshi asked him, ‘What is IT that is important that lies beneath a monk’s kesa?’ When Ryozan did not respond, Kanshi said, ‘It is most distressing if you have not reached this stage in your study of Buddhism. Put the question to me and I will tell you.’ When Ryozan asked him what is IT that is important that lies beneath a monk’s kesa, Kanshi answered, ‘The UNSEEN. The UNSEEN exists, the UNSEEN exists!’, whereupon Ryozan had a great awakening to his TRUE SELF.” The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light.
Ryozan Enkan’s name means ‘Observant of Circumstances’ and it remains unknown as to his clan or birthplace. Training with Kanshi for four years, he served as his attendant in charge of his robes and begging bowl.
“The water is clear through and through
down to its very depths:
Even without cutting and polishing,
The TRUE SELF is naturally lustrous and bright.”
Keizan Zenji summarizes the teaching of Ryozan Enkan
Sources: The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light – Keizan Zenji, Shasta Abbey Buddhist Monastery
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