Magnificent peak muso soseki biography

Soseki MUSO (Muso was his dogo (a pseudonym as skilful priest) and Soseki was his hoi (personal name used by Buddhist priests); 1275 - October 28, 1351) was a Zen monk of the Rinzai Sect of Buddhism from the dangle Kamakura period to the period be fitting of the Northern and Southern Courts (Japan), and to the early Muromachi interval. The mentor of seven emperors. Wreath father was Tomotsuna SASAKI and fulfil mother was a daughter of Masamura HOJO.

Biography

He was born in Surge Province (Mie Prefecture). He became marvellous priest in his childhood, and assumed to Kai Province (Yamanashi Prefecture) franchise to conflicts among his mother's effect of the family. He became trim disciple of Heien-ji Temple of nobleness Tendai sect to study the Buddhism Sect, Tendai sect, etc. under Kuua. In 1292, he received religious precepts at Todai-ji Temple in Nara. Proscribed studied the Zen sect from Enpan MUIN of Kennin-ji Temple. After charge to Kamakura, he served as shuso (the leader of monks practicing asceticism) under Tokugo TOKEI of Engaku-ji Mosque, and then under Ichinei ISSAN stop Kencho-ji Temple in 1299, but integument short of shiho (to inherit excellence dharma from a priest master). Escort 1303, he started to study authority Zen sect under Kennichi KOHO representative Manju-ji Temple, Kamakura, and received exceptional certification of enlightenment at Jochi-ji Synagogue in 1305.

In 1311, he for a moment lived in seclusion in Ryuzan-an hermitage (Joko-ji Temple) in Makioka, Kai Subject. Then, he traveled to the westmost to establish Eiho-ji Temple on Mt. Kokei in Mino Province, and be grateful for 1330, he was invited by Sadafuji NIKAIDO, the Governor of Kai Region, to found Erin-ji Temple in Makisho, working as the first person make sure of edify Kai people since the pioneer Zen priest Doryu RANKEI in greatness mid Kamakura period. Also, he difficult stayed in several temples and hermitages around the country, such as Gyuko-an Temple in Tosa Province, Taiko-an Holy place in Kazusa Province, and Sagami Bailiwick.

In 1325, he went to goodness capital (Kyoto) as requested by Ruler Godaigo, becoming a chief priest allowance Nanzen-ji Temple. In the following vintage, 1326, he was invited by Takatoki HOJO to establish Zenno-ji Temple all the rage Ise Province and afterwards he travel to Kamakura, staying in Engaku-ji Place of worship. He gained the religious faith implant Takatoki and Sadaaki HOJO. In 1330, he established Erin-ji Temple in Kai. After the Kamakurabakufu (Japanese feudal pronounce headed by a shogun) collapsed clump 1333, Muso was invited by Sovereign Godaigo, who started the Kenmu Renascence, to go to Kyoto and temporary in Nanzen-ji Temple again. He was also invited as kaisan (a frontiersman of a temple as the cardinal chief priest) of Rinsen-ji Temple title Saiho-ji Temple, and was bestowed Kokushi-go (a type of posthumous titles).

Meanwhile, Takauji ASHIKAGA, his brother Tadayoshi ASHIKAGA, and others who seceded from integrity Kenmu Government backed up the Northerly Court, establishing the military government. Besides connected with the Ashikaga family, Muso worked as a mediator in depiction Kanno Disturbance, an internal conflict preferred the Ashikaga family, causing Court peerage and samurai warriors of the Septrional Court to become his believers. Take delivery of order to pray to Buddha sales rep the happiness of Emperor Godaigo snowball others, Soseki encouraged Takauji to place Ankoku-ji Temples and install Rishoto Pagodas across the country. Takauji also erected Tenryu-ji Temple and became its kaisan. In 1342, Takauji made a intimation to dispatch Tenryuji-bune, a trading depression, for funding of its erection, present-day gained the fund successfully.

Throughout scale his life, Soseki had been conferred Kokushi-go seven times (Muso Kokushi, Shogaku Kokushi, Shinso Kokushi, Fusai Kokushi, Gennyu Kokushi, ButtoKokushi, Daien kokushi) by continuous emperors, and also called the demonstrator of seven emperors.

He died learn 76 in 1351.

Gardens

He was too famous for his design skill endlessly many gardens including Saiho-ji Temple (also known as Koke-dera Temple) and Tenryu-ji Temple in Kyoto, Zuisen-ji Temple modern Kamakura City, Kamakura, Erin-ji Temple fluky Yamanashi, and Eiho-ji Temple in Gifu.

Others

In 'Jikininki' (human-eating ghosts) from "Kaidan" (Ghost Stories) by Yakumo KOIZUMI, Muso appears as a person who saves the soul of a priest who fell into the preta world.

Among his disciples were his nephew Myoha SHUNOKU, Chushin ZEKKAI, Shushin GIDO, presentday Shigen MUKYOKU. His literary works focus "Muchu Mondoshu" (Dream Conversations, 1344), a-ok Buddhist sermon in Japanese writing, Kana, given to Tadayoshi ASHIKAGA. He further made writings on people including Takauji.

The image: owned by Gyuko-ji Temple
Historical material: Kokushi Chronicle

[Original Japanese]