Tōrei Enji

(8 May 1721 - 10 April 1792) was an eminent Japanese Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, author, painter and calligrapher. He was the chief disciple and heir of famed Japanese Rinzai master Hakuin Ekaku (1685–1786). He wrote an influential text on Zen practice called "The Undying Lamp of Zen" (Shūmon mujintō ron), which gives an overview of Hakuin's views and practices with regard to the Buddhist path.

Biography

Tōrei born in Kazaki, Shiga prefecture. When he was 5 years old, he met the respected Zen master Kogetsu Zenzai (1667–1751). This inspired him to begin his studies at a local monastery at the age of 9. When he was 17 he went to Daikō-ji in Kyushu, where he was ordained as a Buddhist monk by Kogetsu Zenzai. Under the direction of Kogetsu, Tōrei attained his first kenshō. The work presents the Zen path according to the Rinzai tradition of Hakuin and attempts to promote the unity of all Buddhist schools under the Ekayana (One Vehicle) view of Zen. His work also attempts to reconcile Zen Buddhism with Confucianism, Shintoism and Taoism.

After Hakuin's death, Tōrei retired to Ryutaku-ji and he remained there for twenty years overseeing its restoration. Towards the end of his life Tōrei returned to a small temple in his hometown, where he died in 1792.

Influence All contemporary Rinzai-lineages stem from Hakuin and Torei, through Gasan Jitō (1727–1797) and his students Inzan Ien (1751–1814) and Takuju Kosen (1760–1833). Gasan is considered to be a dharma heir of Hakuin, though "he did not belong to the close circle of disciples and was probably not even one of Hakuin's dharma heirs," studying with Hakuin but completing his koan-training with Tōrei Enji.