Saint Sekito Kisen

Thirty Fifth Reverend Zen Buddhist Monk

Nov 5, 2008

The late Abbess Jiyu Kennett of the Shasta Abbey Zen Buddhist Monastery made a decision to share some of the deeper teachings of Zen with the lay public.

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 Sekito Kisen, The Thirty Fifth Ancestor

“When Sekito went to train with Seigen Gyoshi the latter asked, ‘Where do you come from?’ Sekito answered, ‘I come from Sokei Monastery.’ Gyoshi raised his fountain scepter and asked, ‘Do they still have this sort of thing at Sokei?’ Sekito replied, ‘Not only do they not have it at Sokei, it also does not exist in India.’ Gyoshi said, ‘But, my child, you have never gone to India, have you?’ Sekito said, ‘If I had gone, then it would be there!’ Gyoshi said, ‘That is not good enough; go on and say more!’ Sekito replied, ‘Reverend Priest, you should also take on half the talking; do not depend wholly on this neophyte!’ Gyoshi said, ‘I do not shirk from talking to you about IT, but I fear lest, afterwards, there will be no ne to grasp what IT is.’ Sekito responded, ‘It is not htat no one will graps IT but that no one will be able to speak about IT!’ Gyoshi struck Sekito with the fountain scepter whereupon Sekito had a great awakening to his TRUE SELF.”

Sekito Kisen’s name means ‘He Who Hopes for Improvement’ and was of the Koan clan in Tanshu.

The copyright of the article Saint Sekito Kisen in Buddhist History is owned by Marilynn Hughes. Permission to republish Saint Sekito Kisen in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.