Jakuen (寂円)

Jakuen (1207 - October 15, 1299) was a Buddhist priest of the Soto sect who came from the Southern Song of China to Japan in the Kamakura period. His dogo (pseudonym as a priest) was Chishin.

Jakuen had been a disciple of Choo Nyojo of Keitoku-ji Temple on Mt. Tendo when he met Dogen, who had been in Song at that time. After the death of Nyojo, he came to Japan as a follower of Dogen. He followed Dogen at Kosho-ji Temple at Fukakusa in Yamashiro Province and Eihei-ji Temple in Echizen Province, and after the death of Dogen he became a master of Zen under Ejo. He left Eihei-ji Temple in 1261 and founded the Hokyo-ji Temple at Ono District, Echizen Province, and then originated a school of Buddhism under the patronage of a powerful clan, Ishira. Giun, the Chuko no So (father of restoration) of Eihei-ji Temple, was one of his disciples.

[Original Japanese]