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Shunjobo Chogen

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 2:40 pm
by Seishin
Was Shunjobo Chogen a Tendai monk? From what I can gather on the net he was a Shingon monk, but his beads in this portrait look like Tendai beads Image

Although I know many other denominations in Japan (and other countries) use similar flat style beads. :smile:

Gassho,
Seishin.

Re: Shunjobo Chogen

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:36 pm
by DGA
I don't know much about Chogen apart from what I read in Ruppert's Jewel in the Ashes. No evidence he was a Tendai monk AFAIK.

:shrug:

Re: Shunjobo Chogen

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:16 am
by User 3495
Chōgen trained at Daigoji and Kōyasan, so he probably was formally a Shingon monk. But he was deeply influenced by Pure Land Buddhism and probably Kegonshū, as he was closely associated with Tōdai-ji, the head temple of Kegonshū (which is also mainly mikkyō). He lived some time as a hijiri, so I guess, that neither his robe nor his juzu are strictly "orthodox"...

Re: Shunjobo Chogen

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:22 am
by Seishin
Thank you both for your replies. That clears that up nicely :twothumbsup:

Gassho,
Seishin.