Kanzan Egen

Kanzan Egen (関山慧玄/關山慧玄) (1277–1360) was a Japanese Rinzai Zen Buddhist monk, founder of Myōshin-ji Temple and a principal member of the extant Ōtōkan lineage,^[1] from which all modern Rinzai Zen derives. Centuries later, Emperor Meiji conferred the posthumous name Muso Daishi (無相大師) to Kanzan.

Kanzan Egen (関山慧玄/關山慧玄)
Kanzan Egen
Personal life
Born	(1277-01-07)January 7, 1277 Shinano Province, Japan
Died	1360(1360-00-00) (aged 82–83) Kyoto, Japan
Other names	Muso Daishi (無相大師)
Religious life
Religion	Buddhism
School	Rinzai Zen, Myōshin-ji Branch
Senior posting
Teacher	Nanpo Jōmyō and Shūhō Myōchō
Successor	Juo Sohitsu (授翁宗弼)

Biography

Kanzan Egen was born in Shinano Province on January 7, 1277. He initially studied Rinzai Zen Buddhism under Nanpo Jōmyō, who received dharma-transmission from China and later under Nanpo Jōmyō's student, Shūhō Myōchō.^[2] After Shūhō Myōchō confirmed Kanzan Egen's enlightenment, Kanzan went to Mino Province and dwelt in the Ibuki Mountains for intensive training.

During this time, Emperor Hanazono recalled Kanzan to the capitol to help found a new temple which became Myōshin-ji Temple.