Eisai
Japanese priest who founded Rinzai Zen and popularized green tea.
Myōan Eisai (also known as Yōsai; 27 May 1141 – 1 August 1215) was a Japanese Buddhist priest who is credited with founding the Rinzai school, the Japanese line of the Linji school of Zen Buddhism. He introduced this Zen approach to Japan in 1191 after a trip to China, and is also said to have popularized green tea in Japan. He served as the founding abbot of Shōfuku-ji and Kennin-ji, two of the earliest Zen temples in Japan.
- born
- 27 May 1141
- died
- 1 August 1215
- field
- Buddhist priest, Zen teacher
- nationality
- Japanese
- known_for
- Founding the Rinzai school of Zen in Japan; popularizing green tea in Japan
Lore & Background
Eisai was born in Bitchū Province (modern-day Okayama Prefecture) and was ordained as a monk in the Tendai sect. Dissatisfied with the state of Buddhism, he made his first trip to Mount Tiantai in China in 1168, where he learned of the primacy of the Chan (Zen) school. He returned to China in 1187 for a longer stay as a disciple of Xuan Huaichang, a master in the Linji (Rinzai) line, at Jingde Si monastery. After certification as a Zen teacher, he returned to Japan in 1191, bringing Zen scriptures and green tea seeds. He founded Shōfuku-ji in Kyūshū in 1195, Japan's first Zen temple. Faced with opposition from traditional schools such as Tendai, Shingon, and Pure Land, Eisai left Kyoto for Kamakura in 1199, where the shōgun and warrior class welcomed his teachings. Hōjō Masako allowed him to build Jufuku-ji, the first Zen temple in Kamakura, and he founded Kennin-ji in Kyoto in 1202 on land gifted by Minamoto no Yoriie.
Reader's Guide
Eisai's significance lies in his dual legacy as the founder of the Rinzai school of Zen in Japan and as a key figure in the introduction of green tea. His 1191 return from China marked the formal transmission of the Linji (Rinzai) lineage to Japan, though he never renounced his Tendai status and continued esoteric practices. His book Kissa Yōjōki (Drinking Tea for Health) promoted tea's medicinal benefits, particularly for heart health, in an era of perceived decline (mappō). He also wrote Kōzen gokokuron (The Promotion of Zen for the Protection of the Country), arguing that Zen Buddhism was critical for a functioning society and for protecting Japan. Despite his efforts, later teachers were needed to establish a distinctly Japanese Zen free of admixture with other schools. His notable disciple Eihei Dōgen later founded the Sōtō school of Zen.
Did You Know?
- Eisai brought green tea seeds from China after his second trip in 1191 and wrote the book Kissa Yōjōki (Drinking Tea for Health).
- He used green tea as a treatment for shōgun Sanetomo, who had overindulged in wine.
- Eisai never renounced his status as a Tendai monk and continued Tendai esoteric practices until his death.
- Through his disciple Myōzen, Eisai's teachings influenced Eihei Dōgen, who later traveled to China and founded the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Eisai?
Eisai (also called Yōsai) was a 12th-century Japanese Buddhist monk who traveled to Song China in 1191 and brought back the Linji tradition of Zen, establishing it in Japan as the Rinzai school.
What is Eisai's main role in Buddhist history?
He is regarded as the founding figure of Rinzai Zen in Japan, the lineage that would go on to shape much of Japanese Zen practice and temple culture.
How does Eisai's story end?
Eisai passed away on 1 August 1215, having already served as the founding abbot of both Shōfuku-ji and Kennin-ji, two of the oldest Zen monasteries in Japan.
Why is Eisai important beyond Zen Buddhism?
He is widely credited with introducing and popularizing green tea in Japan, making him a cultural figure as well as a religious one.
Which temples are most closely linked to Eisai?
Shōfuku-ji and Kennin-ji are the two monasteries he founded as abbot, and both are considered among the earliest Zen temples ever established in Japan.
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