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Keizan Zenji is credited with not only preserving but reviving the line of Soto Zen ancestors that up until his time were almost forgotten.
Keizan Zenji records in The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light, that after leaving the palace to become a profound ascetic, Shakyamuni Buddha discovered the middle way – the path of no extremes. It was at this time that he propounded the Four Noble Truths. These four truths are 1.) The Truth of Suffering, 2.) The Truth of the Origin of Suffering, 3.) The Truth of the Extinction of Suffering, and 4.) The Truth of the Path that Leads to the Extinction of Suffering. This path is found by practicing Right Understanding, Thought, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness and Concentration. The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light records the line of ancestors in the Zen Buddhist tradition back to Shakyamuni Buddha. The Preservation of the LineageIt 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 PatriarchsIt 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 Tendo Nyojyo, The Fiftieth Ancestor“Whilst Nyojyo was training under Chikan the latter asked, ‘Disiple Nyojyo, how can THAT which has never been stained or polluted by purified?’ Nyojyo spent over a year on this when suddenly he became wide awake to his TRUE SELF and said, ‘I have hit upon THAT which is not stained or polluted.’ . . . He had not yet finished what he was saying when Chikan struck him. Nyojyo, the Water of the Spirit pouring through him, bowed before Chikan who then gave him his recognition.” Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light. Tendo Nyojyo’s name means ‘He Who Is Like Purity.’ Nothing is known about his clan or where he was born. Tendo Nyojyo was known for saying “To practice meditation is to drop off body and mind.” Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light. “The winds of training fan far into the distance, irresistible as a diamond is hard; They circulate everywhere and, because of them, The whole world is sustained.” Keizan Zenji summarizes the teaching of Tendo Nyojyo Sources: The Denkoroku: The Record of the Transmission of Light – Keizan Zenji, Shasta Abbey Buddhist Monastery
The copyright of the article Saint Tendo Nyojyo in Buddhist History is owned by Marilynn Hughes. Permission to republish Saint Tendo Nyojyo in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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