born Jan. 19, 1200, Kyōto, Japan
died Sept. 22, 1253, Kyōto
Japanese Buddhist who introduced Sōtō Zen to Japan from China.
Orphaned at age 7, he became a monk at 13. He studied in China under the Zen master Rujing (1223–27), and he also studied with Eisai . He returned to Japan and taught Zen meditation, spending his last years at Eihei Temple, which he founded.