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Japanese & Western Lineage

Eihei Dōgen (1200–1253)

Founder of Japanese Sōtō Zen. Born into the highest aristocracy, Dōgen became a novice at Mount Hiei (Tendai school), later studying Zen under Ryōnen Myōzen (1184–1225) at Kenninji.
He traveled to China in 1224, where he studied under Rujing (Nyojō, 1163–1228) and received transmission.

Returning to Japan, Dōgen founded Kōshōji, the first Zen monastery in Japan, then established Eiheiji in 1243 — still one of the two head temples of Sōtō Zen.
He authored numerous central works, including the Shōbōgenzō (“Dharma Treasury of the True Eye”). Dōgen died in 1253.

Koun Ejō (1198–1280)

A member of the Fujiwara clan, Ejō was first associated with the Daruma-shū school before joining Dōgen at Kōshōji in 1234.
He served as chief monk, helped compile the Shōbōgenzō, and succeeded Dōgen as the second abbot of Eiheiji.
His works include Kōmyōzō Zanmai (Samādhi of the Treasury of the Radiant Light, 1278*) and Shōbōgenzō Zuimonki (Record of Things Heard).

Tettsū Gikai (1219–1309)

From a branch of the Fujiwara clan, Gikai was first a disciple of Ekan of the Daruma-shū school. After joining Dōgen, he became Eiheiji’s cook (tenzo) and later received transmission from Ejō (1255).
He became Eiheiji’s third abbot but was forced to resign following disputes. Later, he founded Daijōji, a new Zen monastery, in 1293.

Keizan Jōkin (1264–1325)

Tonsured by Gikai in 1271, Keizan later became one of the great systematizers of Sōtō Zen.
He received Dōgen’s robe in 1295 and established Yōkōji and later Sōjiji, which became one of the two head temples of the Sōtō school.

Key writings include Zazen Yōjinki, Sankon Zazen Setsu, and the Denkōroku (Transmission of the Light).

Gasan Jōseki (1276–1366)

A major disciple of Keizan, Gasan became the second abbot of Sōjiji.
He introduced study of the Five Degrees (Chinese: Wu Wei) of Dongshan Liangjie, founder of the Sōtō school in China.
His twenty-five successors ensured the survival of the school, particularly through his emphasis on dialectical understanding.

A famous exchange between Keizan and Gasan describes the “two moons” — a metaphor for the realization of unity and duality within awakening.

Taigen Sōshin (d. 1371)

Received transmission from Gasan in 1349 and became the third abbot of Sōjiji. Later, he founded Butsudaji in Kaga.

Baisan Mompon (d. 1417)

A pivotal figure in late 14th-century Sōtō Zen. Founder of Ryūtakuji and Kongōji, and eleventh abbot of Sōjiji.
He established the system of rotating abbacy still used today.
Known for his strict devotion to meditation — monks at Ryūtakuji were enjoined to meditate “twenty-four hours out of twenty-four.”

Jochū Tengin (1365–1437)

A disciple of Baisan Mompon, he founded Daitō’in in 1411 near Shizuoka.
Legend tells that the mountain’s kami received Zen precepts from him, creating a sacred spring that flows to this day.
Of the 17,549 temples of the Sōtō school, more than 3,200 trace their line to Tengin.

Sekisō Enchū (d. 1455) and Taigan Sōbai (d. 1502)

Successive abbots of Tōkei’in, the temple founded on Tengin’s legacy.
Tōkei’in became a central monastery of the lineage, with abbacy rotating among three successor lines.

The Shinju’in and Hōzōji Lineages

From Kensō Jōshun (d. 1507) to Kanshū Taisatsu (active 1592), the lineage expanded through Shinju’in and Hōzōji, extending Zen practice into Suruga and Nagano prefectures.
These abbots maintained the living continuity of Dōgen’s teaching through the Edo period.

Successive Abbots of Hōzōji

Tensō Juntetsu through Shōgaku Rinzui, each abbot preserving the monastic tradition through centuries of cultural change.

Butsuzan Zuimyō (Masuda)

Seventeenth abbot of Hōzōji and fourth superior of Tōkei’in under the post-Meiji reclassification.

Bukkan Myōkoku (Niwa, 1862–1904)

Third abbot of Tōkei’in. Rebuilt and revitalized the temple after the Meiji Buddhist persecutions, planting over 600 plum trees.
Served for twelve years as attendant to Goyu Morita, 64th abbot of Eiheiji.

Butsuan Emyō (Niwa, 1880–1955)

Fifth abbot of Tōkei’in and Executive Director of Eiheiji.
A major influence in developing Baikaryū (plum-blossom style) hymn singing in the Sōtō sect.

Zuigaku Rempō (Niwa, 1905–1993)

Succeeded Emyō Niwa and became the 77th abbot of Eiheiji (1985).
Received the imperial title Jikō Enkai Zenji (“Great Zen Master of Compassion, Ocean of Plenitude”).
Renowned calligrapher under the pen names Robai (“Old Plum Tree”) and Baian (“Plum Tree Hermitage”).

Gudō Wafu Nishijima (1919–2014)

Received ordination (1973) and transmission (1977) from Rempō Niwa Zenji.
Teacher, translator, and author of over thirty works in Japanese and English.
Taught: “Life is just the fact in this moment; death is just the fact in this moment.”

Mike Chōdō Cross (b. 1959)

English Sōtō Zen teacher, translator of Dōgen’s Shōbōgenzō (with Nishijima Roshi).
Leads groups in England and France and directs the Middle Way Re-education Centre in Aylesbury, UK.

Taigu Turlur (b. 1964)

French-born Zen teacher and poet.
Received ordination in 1983 and Dharma transmission (2003) from Mike Chōdō Cross.
Founder of the Blue Mountains White Clouds Hermitage near Osaka.
Known for sewing Buddhist robes (kesa) in the Nyohoe style and devotion to Kannon and Jizō.
Rev. Myōzan Kōdō is his Dharma heir.