Japanese preachers of Chinese Buddhism during the Edo period (1603–1868) - Sen no Rikyū and Tetsugyu Doki

Abstract

The Ōbaku School that represents the third major sect of Zen Buddhism along with Rinzai and Sōtō, emerged in Japan during the Edo period due to the arrival of Buddhist monks from China. The article examines the biography of the prominent Japanese Ōbaku monks – Sen no Rikyū and Tetsugyu Doki, which gives a better perspective on the peculiarities of establishment of this school. In light of the Chinese origin and novelty, the Ōbaku teaching initially gained significant popularity in Japan, that adhered to the policy of self-isolation; however, its success is largely the merit of the Japanese followers of the teaching, since the Chinese monks hand neither a command of the language nor permit to travel the country, and this incapable of fully interacting with the local authorities and population. The scientific novelty is substantiated by the absence of special research within the Russian Japanese Studies dedicated to Ōbaku School; therefore, particular attention is given to the works of foreign authors. The conclusion is made that the role of personality greatly contributes to the success of the Ōbaku teaching, since the effective interaction with the government, their financial support, and the growing number of new converts largely depended on reputation and charisma of the prominent Japanese Ōbaku monks Sen no Rikyū and Tetsugyu Doki. They saw a chance to cognize the true Buddhism traditions, which at that time were neglected in Japan. The versatile activity of the monks contributed to surge in the popularity of Ōbaku in Japan, as well as harmonious interaction of the Chinese and Japanese traditions and cultures that left a mark on the unique multifaceted image of the Edo period.