Digital Dictionary of Buddhism

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聖一派

Pronunciations

Basic Meaning: Shōichi ha

Senses:

  • The Shōichi branch is considered one of the twenty-four transmissions of Zen in Japan 禪宗二十四流. It was founded by the Japanese monk Enni Bennen 圓爾辯圓 (1202–1280), who traveled to Song China where he studied under Wuzhun Shifan 無準師範 (1177–1249) of the Poan line 破菴派 of the Yangqi branch 楊岐派 of the Linji school 臨濟宗. Upon his return to Japan in 1241, Bennen first established Jōtenji 承天寺 in Hakata 博多 and Sōfokuji 崇福寺 in Yokodake 橫嶽 (both in Fukuoka prefecture 福岡縣). Then Nijō Yoshizane 二條良實 (1216–1270), son of the regent 攝政 Kujō Michiie 九條道家 (1193–1252), devoted his villa in Higashiyama 東山 (Kyoto) to build a Zen temple for Bennen. The temple was named Tōfukuji 東福寺, an amalgamation of Tōdaiji 東大寺 and Kōfukuji 興福寺—the two major Buddhist temples of Nara. Tōfukuji was built according to the typical Chan style of seven-hall layout 七堂伽藍. However, at least initially, its practice was rather syncretic. It included statues of the eight patriarchs 八祖 of the Shingon school 眞言宗 used for the coronation of the Dharma-transmission 傳法灌頂, as well as Tendai school 天台宗 offering services. Thus, the temple incorporated characteristics of the three major Japanese Buddhist sects at that time, i.e., Tendai, Shingon, and Zen. However, in 1280 Bennen is said to have prohibited this syncretism and restricted Tōfukuji abbacy to members of the Sōichiha 聖一派 linage. For this reason, the branch is also known as Tōfukumonto 東福門徒. Bennenʼs dharma heirs established many sub-temples (tacchū 塔頭) within the premises of Tōfukuji, where they trained many disciples of their own. In turn, these monks have established fifty temples across the country and formed some of the significant linages of the five mountain system 五山 (for a detailed list of the most prominent among these lineages, founders, and history, see the entry in the ZGDJT). Although initially both Bennen and heʼs dharma heirs attempted to distinguish the branch, eventually, it was fully integrated into the Five Mountains system. In particular, the linage that traces its origin to Kokan Shiren 虎關師鍊 (1278–1346) is notable for many talented monks, who were active in the Five Mountains literary culture. [Erez Joskovich; source(s): Ui, ZGDJT]
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    [Dictionary References]

    Bukkyō jiten (Ui) 557

    Zengaku daijiten (Komazawa U.) 526a

    Bukkyō daijiten (Mochizuki) (v.1-6)4928c

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    The rights to textual segments (nodes) of the DDB are owned by the author indicated in the brackets next to each segment. For rights regarding the compilation as a whole, please contact Charles Muller. Please do not reproduce without permission. And please do not copy into Wikipedia without proper citation!

    Entry created: 2005-01-31

    Updated: 2020-06-30