About Ryōgen
Lived 912 – 985 (aged 72). Ryōgen was a Japanese buddhist monk.
Seated Jie Daishi, a portrait sculpture of Ryōgen, owned by Kongōrin-ji temple in Aishō, Shiga. Designated an Important Cultural Property. Ryōgen is known generally by the names of Ganzan Daishi (left) or Tsuno Daishi (right). The figure of Tsuno Daishi (Horned Great Master) is said to be a portrait of him subjugating vengeful ghosts
was the 18th chief abbot of Enryaku-ji in the 10th century.
He is considered a restorer of the Tendai school of Mahayana Buddhism, and credited for reviving Enryaku-ji. His supposed role as a precursor of the sōhei or "warrior monks" is questionable and seems to be a later invention.
Life Ryōgen was born in the Omi Province in 912, and he began his practice at Mount Hiei in 923, becoming chief abbot in 966.
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Important facts
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Ryōgen's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ryōgen?
Japanese Buddhist monk
When was Ryōgen born?
Ryōgen was born on 15 October 912 in Gyokusen-ji Temple.
When did Ryōgen die?
Ryōgen died on 26 January 985 in Enryaku-ji Temple.
What was Ryōgen's occupation?
Ryōgen was a buddhist monk.
What nationality was Ryōgen?
Ryōgen was Japanese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ryōgen. https://biography.guide/ryogen/
MLA: "Ryōgen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ryogen/.
Chicago: "Ryōgen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ryogen/.
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