Background
Shoki was born in Mino Province (Gifu Prefecture), Japan.
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Shoki _
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also known as
Kaisen, Daitsu-Chisho Zenji
Career
Shoki was chief priest of the Erinji Temple in Kai Province (Yamanashi Prefecture). He was at first a priest at the Sufukuji Temple in Mino. When Yoshisuke Sasaki, warrior of the Takeda Clan of Kai was defeated and sought protection at his temple, Shoki enabled him to escape safely from the pursuing force of Nobunaga Oda. Nobunaga in indignation set fire to the temple and burned to death its more than 100 priests including Shoki.
Shoki died in flames unperturbedly, after saying, "Even fire is cool to one who has cleared one's mind of all thoughts." The words are still often quoted.
