15 Facts About Shuho Myocho

Shuho Myocho was the founder and first abbot of the Daitoku-ji in Kyoto, one of Japan's most important temples.

Shuho Myocho was born in the Harima province near today's Osaka, in the present-day Hyogo Prefecture.

Shuho Myocho was an extremely developed child and at the age of 10 he was very disappointed in the world.

Shuho Myocho devoted himself to studying the Buddhist teachings, mainly the "tendai" schools on Mount Shosha, but even these did not fully satisfy him.

Shuho Myocho diligently practiced and lived his first enlightenment experience, which was confirmed by Koho.

Ten days after arriving in Kamakura, Shuho Myocho experienced great enlightenment.

Shuho Myocho was in a small hermitage, hungry and cold, near Ungo-ji on East Mount.

Shuho Myocho was completely devoted to the Zen tradition and copied 30 volumes "Keitoku dentoroku" in just 40 days.

Traditionally, it is believed that Shuho Myocho was taken straight to the palace, where he was presented with monastic robes.

In 1315, Shuho Myocho built a hermitage in the Murasakino district, which he called Daitoku.

Shuho Myocho handed over the running of the monastery to his apprentice Tetto Giko and expressed his wish not to build stupa for him.

Shuho Myocho sat down in a meditation position, but could not take the lotus position due to foot problems.

Shuho Myocho's practice was focused on sitting meditation, koan practice, and the experience of enlightenment.

Shuho Myocho placed great emphasis on strict adherence to monastic rules.

Shuho Myocho was essentially the first Japanese Zen master to equal Chinese masters.