Keizan Jokin

Keizan Jokin

(born Nov. 13, 1268, Echizen province, Japan—died Sept. 22, 1325, Noto province) Japanese Buddhist priest and founder of the Soji Temple, one of the two head temples of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism. He joined the priesthood at age 12; after completing his studies, he taught the Soto doctrine for 10 years. He was named head priest at Shogaku Temple, which he affiliated with the Soto sect in 1321. It was destroyed by fire in 1898 and later rebuilt on its present site at Yokohama. Keizan devoted himself to building temples and spreading Soto teachings to all parts of Japan. Now called Taiso (“Great Master”), he is revered as the restorer of the Soto sect.