Background
Sogen Mugaku was born on 3 September 1226 born in Ming-chou and in time became a Dharma heir of the Zen master Wu-chun Shin-fan, his personal name was Yzu-yiian (Shigen).
無学祖元
Sogen Mugaku was born on 3 September 1226 born in Ming-chou and in time became a Dharma heir of the Zen master Wu-chun Shin-fan, his personal name was Yzu-yiian (Shigen).
China was in a state of turmoil as the Mongol forces grew in strength and in 1279 finally overthrew the Southern Sung dynasty, making themselves rulers of China. During this period, Tsu-yuan was studying under Huan-hsi Wei-i (Kankei Iitsu) at Mt. T’ien-t’ung. It is said that he showed no sign of alarm when faced by the invading Mongol soldiers, but on the contrary won their admiration by his fearless attitude.
In 1279 at the invitation of the statesman Hojo Tokimune he went to Japan along with Chung-t’ang Chueh-yiian (Kyodo Kakuen) and others, taking up residence in Kenchd-ji in Kamakura.
In 1281, when the Mongols launched their second attack on Japan, he strongly influenced Tokimune in the latter’s decision to meet them with all possible resistance. In 1282 he founded a temple called Engaku-ji in Kamakura, where he devoted himself to the religious training of the Kamakura samurai.
Because of the painstaking manner with which he guided his followers, his style of teaching came to be referred to as roba Zen, “old- woman’s Zen.” His teaching line came to be known as the Bukko-ha.
His principal disciples were Koho Kennichi and Kian Soen. Through the efforts of Koho Kennichi’s disciple Muso Soseki, the line attained a position of great eminence.