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Dictionary definition: Eisai
- Article from:
- A Dictionary of Buddhism
- Author:
Copyright© A Dictionary of Buddhism 2004, originally published by Oxford University Press 2004. (Hide copyright information)
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Eisai
(1141–1215). The founder of the
Rinzai
school of Japanese
zen
. Born into a temple family, Eisai originally entered the
Tendai
sect and lived at the Miidera. However, the violent factionalism of the Tendai school at that time repulsed him, and he travelled from place to place seeking teaching. In 1168 he went to
China
to visit the famous sites of the
T'ien-t'ai
school (Tendai's Chinese root). He arrived at a time when
Ch'an
was dominant, and was very excited by its vibrance and novelty. He had no time for formal training, however, since he returned to
Japan
after only six months. After his return, he continued to serve the Tendai school. Eighteen years later, he returned to ...