Background
Shunjo was born in Higo Province (Kumamoto Prefecture), 1166. His other name was Gazen.
Shunjo was born in Higo Province (Kumamoto Prefecture), 1166. His other name was Gazen.
He became a priest at the age of 17 and studied exoteric and esoteric Buddhism under scholar priests in various places.
Founded the Shohoji Temple in his native place. Went to China (Sung Dynasty) (1199) and returned (1211), bringing with him 2,103 volumes of books. The same year, he went to Kyoto and lived at the Sufukuji Temple.The Court accorded him posthumously the name of Getsurin Taishi.