Tiāntóng Rújìng (天童如淨; Japanese: Tendō Nyojō) (1163–1228) was a Caodong Buddhist monk living in Jìngdé Temple[1] (景徳寺; Japanese: Keitoku-ji) on Tiāntóng Mountain (天童山; Japanese: Tendōzan) in Yinzhou District, Ningbo. He taught and gave dharma transmission to Sōtō Zen founder Dōgen[1][2] as well as early Sōtō monk Jakuen (寂円 Jìyuán).

Tiāntóng Rújìng
TitleChán master
Personal
Born(1163-08-08)8 August 1163
Died18 August 1228(1228-08-18) (aged 65)
ReligionBuddhism
SchoolCaodong/Sōtō
Senior posting
TeacherXuedou Zhijian
PredecessorXuedou Zhijian
SuccessorEihei Dōgen
Students

His teacher was Xuedou Zhijian[1] (雪竇智鑑, 1105–1192), who was the sixteenth-generation dharma descendant of Huineng.

According to Keizan, when Ruijing became a leader, he didn't put himself above the other monks. He wore the black surplice and robe of a monk. He was given a purple vestment of honor by the emperor of China, but he declined it. Even after reaching enlightenment, he was willing to clean the bathroom.[3]

He is traditionally the originator of the terms shikantaza[4] and shinjin-datsuraku ("casting off of body and mind").

References

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  1. ^ a b c Ferguson, Andrew E. (2000). Zen's Chinese Heritage: The Masters and Their Teachings. Wisdom Publications. p. 454?. ISBN 978-0861711635.
  2. ^ Warner, Brad (May 2007). Sit Down and Shut Up. New World Library. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-57731-559-9.
  3. ^ Keizan, Jōkin (6 June 1990). Transmission of Light. ISBN 0-86547-433-8.
  4. ^ "Caodong Family Tree". caodongzazen.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
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Buddhist titles
Preceded by Sōtō Zen patriarch
1192–1227
Succeeded by