Background
Daito Shimaji was born on October 8, 1875 in Niigata, Japan. His father was Daien Himemiya.
大等 島地
Daito Shimaji was born on October 8, 1875 in Niigata, Japan. His father was Daien Himemiya.
After graduating from the Bungakuryo school of the Honganji Temple in Kyoto, headquarters of the Shinshu Sect (1897), he further studied at the Daigakurin, the highest institution of Buddhist learning of the sect.
Daito Shimaji was well versed in the doctrine of the Tendai Sect like his father.
Daito Shimaji went to India (1902) and explored Buddhist remains with Sensho Fujii and returned the following year. Adopted as son by Mokurai Shimaji, he succeeded him as head priest of the Gankyoji Temple in Morioka City (Iwate Prefecture).
He taught at Toyo University and Tokyo University. Was also tutor to the young Chief Abbot of the Honganji Temple.