A historical Perspective During the Reign of

CHUI #10

One must also study about two other people Togo and Jotetsuto these two were mentioned before in earlier writings. They made significant contributions to Kobushi-Ho/Jutsu. These two people were noted in history as helping to develop and proglumate a very famous Chinese art form. They were able rise up in their chaotic era and perfect an art to such high and were able to teach it to other people.

One must also study about two other people Togo and Jotetsuto these two were mentioned before in earlier writings. They made significant contributions to Kobushi-Ho/Jutsu. These two people were noted in history as helping to develop and proglumate a very famous Chinese art form. They were able rise up in their chaotic era and perfect an art to such high and were able to teach it to other people. First came the Songaseishun and its associated writings then came the Shorin Kobushi Jitsu Hiketsu, which was written, in one large volume. It was the bible for this art. All of the above and aforementioned is also brought up in this text.


Su Yama Shorin Ji
CHUI #1
Shorin Ji and its history began and the area called Honan Province near a city called Tofu, which was located in the Northwest area of the Province. It is near a mountain called Shoshitsu Yama near Hokuwei (N. Wei Province). This area is near a ring of mountains called Gyunyu Hou or the (5) mother milk peaks. Sho2in Ji and its precincts encompass some 93,420 square feet.
Shorin Ji according to legend is often compared to Fukien Shorin Ji, which is more popular, by area name.
Su Yama Shorin Ji and its precincts are about 1,369 meters above sea level. In the same area there is located several other mountains e.g., Ko Yama, Taishitsu Yama, Shoshitsu Yama along with two other smaller peaks near Tofu City which is bordered by Shi City.
Su Yama offers a breathtaking view of this superb historical landmark. Also a spectacular view of the (5) mother milk peaks east   (1.) Tai Yama or Tai Zan (Tlai Shan in Shantung), (2.) West   Kwa Yama or Kwa Zan in (Shensi Province), (3.) North   KoYama or Ko Zan (Heng Shan in Chihli), (4.) Ko Yama or Ko Zan (Heng Shanin Hunan)and (5.) Su Yama or Shu Zan (Tai Shih, Sung Shan in Honan. Su Yama also consists of 29 individual peaks from Taishitsu Yama, 36 smaller peaks on or near Shoshitsu Yama with Taishitsu Yama being the highest. There were four temples strategically placed Hoo Ji, Suijo Ji, Eitai Ji, and Enzen Ji. Each temple has the spirit of Daruma in each as the legends say.
There are mention of three literary masters (Bunjin) Kanyu, Hakukoeki and Chin I Cho who have recorded the local history and legend detailing the exploits of people, places, and things.
Kanyu (768 824) was the first noted Bunjin. He was from Honan Province Shuwei City. He became a popular Sensei from this area of Shuwei. He was given the literary name Ryushugen. He was noted for his efforts, in originating and documenting many ancient writings form his area.

Another teacher of this era was Batsudazen Sensei and of which a special temple stands for his efforts as is the monument of the priest teacher Daruma. These two a Zen sects were formed under the auspices of the then Emperor Ko.

Hakukoeki (722 846) was a great mid era Tang poet with a very optimistic character. In Sensei’s Province during the great era period (712 770) this author was noted for his realism in his poetry especially in a country inundated with social crime were noted as master’s pieces. He was also noted as when peace filled the area as authoring many poems on peace in Japan. Sansenseki (? - 713) was another Unkei poet during the early years of the Tang era. During the year 496 in Hokuwei there were 20 years of great peace. The then military Emperor Ko (471   499)

Section IV
Shorin Ji, the Great Teacher

Daruma and Meditation

(cont)
The then Emperor Ko had suggested that approval be given to allow Su Yama Shorin Ji people in Northern Wei Province to expand in the area of Buddhism. In this area the Shorin Ji clan was the center of a term called Zen Wind which actually enhanced the way the temples operated in this area. Bodi Daruma crossed the bridge and proglumated Shorin Ji for thirty years. There was another story that he made another crossing using the ocean route into Koshu. He had requested an audience with the Butei or military emperor of North Wei and was refused thusly Bodi Daruma spent (9) years facing the wall inside a cave meditating.
After that Shorin Ji and the Zen Sects founder was known as Bodi Daruma. There was rumor that there were two founders. This came from the Keikoku no Danbi Densetsu. Daruma in one act of defiance became a legend.
The Hokusho era Butei or military emperor Eigensu (557   589) suspended Buddhism and Taosim for two years, It was though kept in the monastaries and trained in secret.

The Emperor Jo for several areas restored six years later after the Shorin-Ji calamity order east and west of the old capital. A new temple was built called Chiyotsuko no Ji was built in memory of 120 or so Bodhisattva Monks.

Now as we descend into the era (581   681) ******NOTE: This time frame as stated above (581   681) in this book for this era I believe is the Zui or Sui era maybe in error. There is a different date noted in translators book in the historical tables of Charles Tuttles Japanese English Character Dictionary fourth edition dated 1987. Within this text there were five references.
G.B. Samsom: Japan: A Short Cultural History, Edwin 0 Reischauer: Chronological Chart of Far Eastern History, Chronological Charts published by the Japanese Art Dealers Tokyo, 1958, Andrew N. Nelson the origin and history of temples, and Suwa Tokutaro's Nihonshi no Yoryo Outline of Japanese History. The date stated in the above references is (581   618).
During these era's dates the then literary king in the year 582 who was known as the two-year emperor. In the year 584 the then king known as the four year emperor and during this time there were two temples in or near a city named Choan named Chiyotsu Ji and Dai Kozen Ji. The Chiyotsu Ji temple was renamed for the Shorin Ji group.
This literary king was receptive to the concept of Buddha and Buddhism who was considered a descendant from heaven and was responsible for the revival of Buddhism in this area. This temple area was known as Hakuchoku Chunchi, which was many buildings, encompassed an area almost 1,700,000 square feet, which was granted by the then king. This area was such a grand site for such a famous temple/s.
Therefore, during the Zui era Emperor Ko took on a great undertaking by initiating the above. However, a mountain bandit along with other troops burned down this temple. During the Tang era (618   907) in the year 622 there was a five-year period in which certain priests trained in the martial arts who quit the priesthood ruined many other temples being supported by other Buddhist Priests. This was in line with the 0 Seju no Ran (The Riots of King Seju).

The purpose of these riots were to lead a group of temple priests with distinguished military services to quell these rogue priests which took two years to quell.

Again, the martial arts flourished during an eight-year period from the year 625 in an area called Hakukuso. A land grant was issued to build another temple/s encompassing an area of about 640,000 square feet.
During the Todai era or the Tang Dynasty Period (618  907) there were (4) Tang Dynasty founders/ancestors. Rien who reigned <566   635>, 2nd Riseimin (Taishu or Ancestor), <598   649>, 3 d Fuoji (Koshu Next in Line) <628   683>,

4th Sokutenbuko (Jotei Emperess) <628   705> who was age fourteen at the time of ascension.

This woman was considered so beautiful that she was sequestered behind closed doors which was referred to as Suiren no Seiji (Closed Curtain Government). After Jotei ascended Taoism and Buddhism were again elevated to their once lofty status. This then lead to an opening of Butsu Endo or the expansion of the Buddhist path, which was revered by many etc. etc.
After this the Tomatsu Godai no Ran was starting to decline and things smoothed out up the year 1245 Mid Southern Sung Dynasty thru to the year 1735, which was the Mid Shin Dynasty period. The way people conducted themselves changed drastically.
The scale and scope of Shorin Ji and its temple arrangements also changed drastically as was indicated by historical records. There was also a grand temple gates built to honor Shorin Ji called the Ten 0 Ten, Dai Yuten which encompassed the Dragon House and other associated buildings. The temple was built to be higher that the cities and a separate building for the temples founder or hermitage hut. These were located near the city of Nansei. These were in line with the temples near the five peaks (Mothers Milk Mountains) and the cave was where Daruma stayed his last remaining days.

The above are only described in general terms about Su Yama and Shorin Ji.

In relation to Su Yama Shorin Ji and Ryudensho Yama their training covered Chinese Zen History, Kozazen Zen Study (3 Vol’s), and Zen History in China. These were presented to give a brief outline into history and culture. This history covered city areas near Jiyo and Nanko all the way to the Yellow River and covered areas around the middle peaks surrounding Su Yama.
From ancient times, additional information about the five mother milk peaks is as follows. These famous mountains go east to west and are divided into big chambers and small chambers. For example there are two mountains one with small chambers or caves consisting of 36 individual peaks, and several big chambers or caves surrounded by 24 smaller peaks.
Su Yama and Buddhism are connected or bound by three countries or Sankoku China, India and Japan. The defense of the country then was based on two main provinces North and South Wei and the temples within provided that defense. There was a time of great peace from 484 to 496 during the year 484 when Suyo Ji was built thru the times when Shorin Ji flourished. During the reign of Seiko during the first year of his reign 520 another temple Eitai Ji was established then another Shorin Ji Temple Eizen was also established.
Shorin Ji according to Wei historical records as they are called talked of great Buddhist Priests who were named by a literary emperor Ko <467   499> as being great teachers e.g., Zokuko Soden, Keiko <468   537>, Dobo, and Sou Chu <480   560>, then Dou Hyo <487   559> Keien <523   592>1
Kou & Jun <529   608> these individuals were very famous priests who lived in the temples and were teachers to many other famous pupils and future priests.
Again during the Zui era 0 Seijyu and the rebellion he quelled in the mountains and the temple priests involved saved the area and it mountains which gave rise to Riseimin <598   649> who was the 2nd ancestor to the Tang Dynasty and helped save the temples from the ravages of the war.

From this was a special chamber dedicated to the Tang and is also seen as a memorial in the Kobushi Ho Dojo at the main temple, which was also dedicated to all the brave Sohei or priest soldiers who after Buddhism was abolished for the short time during the rebellion. Taosim and the Senjutsu really never were suppressed but were active during and even the war openly while Buddhism lay dormant.

Future generations of Shorin ii followed the founder steps in Shorin Jutsu and Zen.

They also put great faith in Daruma's act of facing and meditating toward a wall for nine years. They also studied about the original dojo and it teachings. The Zen lineages from the original records are pure and it works a positive sign for future generations to exemplify.
The priest Zokoku Soden enjoyed talking long hours about Daruma and the area around Su Yama and its precincts.
These days when talking about Shorin Ji and the above mentioned talks of the great teacher Daruma his many dedicated priests and the system of learning he set up is looked at as a great achievement.
Daruma's system of Zen and teaching Shorin Ji was best exemplified by a priest who learned from the great teacher Kunin and his ten pupils who lived during the period <638   689>. During the year 674 a student Kankyo was studying under the priest Kunin at the To Yama temple learning law then eventually went to the Su Yama temple for further training in areas that Daruma taught. This was how the system worked going from one temple to the next learning individual studies.
Today Su Yama and its temples still exist. During the Tang era the middle peaks temple priests’ specialty was explaining law and their teacher was Jozen Shi and there is a monument today for his efforts. There also is a monument of Emperor Ko for his efforts toward supporting this temple. The previously talked about To Yama Priest Kunin followed closely the tenets of the Zen Sect that Daruma set down. This record is the oldest one on record of any of the Zen sects and their teachings. Kinin had taught ten great pupils during the middle period. The top three were Keian <582   709>, Jin Shu <606?   706>, and Chisen <609   702>.
There were groups of people studying a different art dealing with magic at the time but still followed Daruma's tenets in other areas around Su Yama. The area mentioned is Choan near Shunan Yama. This area was known for producing a breed of priest that surpassed all teachings and the same for the pupils they taught. These were men of talent their understanding of religions far surpassed their predecessors. This was during the height of prosperity of Buddhism and beliefs in Buddha. Previously it was thought there was only one area, which produced such quality students, which was in North Wei Province.
This person Kunin was the next in line and was destined to excel in the spirit way and knew of the (Tenho Hoki), and was preparing the way for future generations of the Northern Sect. Inyo/Onyo principles were at their height of prosperity. These principles he preached must never be forgotten.
It is a historical fact that this Northern Sect of Shorin Ji gave much of themselves and developed many of the individual arts to untold of levels. This system of Tenho Hoki was a system of genealogy developed by Daruma to catalog eras and their important contributions.
In these chronicles the list some important Shorin Ji teachers whose contributions were peerless. In Eastern Wei there was the Su Yama Shorinji lead by Shakubocho or Bodi Daruma, in Northern Wei Su Yama Shorin ji there was the Shakukeiko, in an area called Kankan there was Shakusosan who lead the Ko Yama Shorin Ji sect. There are around To Yama and temples near the smaller peaks of the area were lead by Shakukumin. The Tang Su Yama Shorinj sect was lead by Shakuhojo. The Tang Toyo Yama Sect (Gyokusen Ji) was lead by Shakujinshu.
Daruma as is known was a very wise person, and his place of final rest is at Su Yama Shorin Ji and was known for his extensive knowledge of the way of laws. The Northern sect was the place where it all started or where the actual art of the Shorin Way was developed. Also this area was also the place were Daruma started his Zen Sect. He began then and his work even continues today. The legends tell many things if one can dig them out.
Again there was teacher Keian who had fewer students and their beliefs in Buddhism were somewhat sheltered. This was their place of worship in the To Yama region.

Sometimes it was thought that these teachings were not in the interest of Tang House. All the more of interest did this group come under in that they were advised to fall in line with the way Buddhism was originally taught as in the sects found in the sections or North Wei. The priests of this area were known for their meritorious efforts.

Section IV

Information on the Shorin ji Sohei (Soldier Priest)
Most of Shorin Ji's fame came from the Sohei or soldier priests who were devout Buddhist Monks. Their training in the Kobushi way and in Bujutsu made them formidable adversaries. This information is very important to remember.
Shorin ji and their precincts were considered sacrosanct and normally did not go out of their territory unless is it was for social reasons. Their life was so ancient and obscure it would difficult to intermingle with common people on a regular basis because of the nature of their arcane art form.
Since their training was based on a pure form of self-defense the internal/external power they had developed thru this art form was legendary. Their training was useful and provided a purpose for these monks to survive with. Their life style depended much on freedom from outside constraints to develop this independent spirit they are known for. Whenever there was disorder in the local area troops were usually dispatched but the monk shied away from intervening in common mans problems or social crises. The only way they would interact was if their precincts were violated.

Their life was a simple one living for the land, nature and development of the self thru their austere training. So they could if directed to be a formidable force to be reckoned with. Even in Japan this group was known of and their exploits talked about with great reverence. There were shrines dedicated to these monks in most Asian countries. They were again to coin a phrase "A Force to be reckoned with".

They were a highly mobile force and if called upon could bring an army together to protect their precincts or their beliefs.
They had some wealth and storehouses of knowledge on almost every conceivable subject known to man. From about the 10th century there was those opposed to this group and their beliefs. This then led them develop, and maintain groups ready for battle at any time. Their chief supporters in Japan were the Taira clan and during this era the Nambokucho was ongoing.
These monks play a part in this civil war in that they were protecting their temples and their austere way of life. In Japan for example there temples at Enryaku Ji, Enjo Ji, Kofuku Ji, and Todai Ji these places in Japan housed many thousands of Sohei soldier or warrior priests. Their imports to Japan had been a sore point with the imperial court in that they were a force that was not under control of the Japanese government. They tried to explain to the government that they wanted to be left alone to live in peace. So they petitioned the court by staging a raid in Kyoto but to no avail. The government took it as a direct threat to Japans way of life. The government in Japan then was thought of as despotic and what the monks were doing was playing a very difficult dice game with then government.
It was on record then that the Japanese censured emperor knew their power and had them studied to find a way to stay continual building of a power base. What the Chinese wanted to convey was that this group of Shorin Ji priests were a militarily a mighty force to be reckoned with and secondly that the Chinese society wanted only piece. They stated that their groups of priests were there only to spread their knowledge, which exemplified the free spirit.
Historical records show though that even as early as the 7th century there was plans in the works to restrict the temples and their priests to their temples and no where else. Consequently, the Chinese warrior priests social existence was being curtailed and confined to the temple precincts only.
    Zuimatsu no Cho Senran to Shorin Ji  ­-

The Shorin Ji had already established military fame which was evident form the "0" Seju Rebellion. During the reign of a military emperor during the era <541  604> the year was 581 the Southern Dynasty or Nancho was the last final state in China, which was ruined because of civil war. The Nambokucho then came to an end with their defeat. This era then opened up to the Zui Dyansty. This military emperor became known as the "Strong Willow Emperor". From this era China and Japan formally allowed the import of their priests and religion into Japan and other Asian countries. On the surface it was understood that Confucianism was being imported.

However, on the surface this appeared so but Taoism again resurfaced and was gaining popularity and Anti Buddhist sentiment was being spread about I believe as misinformation for the sake of the Japanese.
But the Japanese military emperor and his policies even though Buddhism was being put down welcomed this religion and its group of priests who held official rank within the Chinese government was welcomed and temples were built to honor these brave monks. Even though these temples and their locations were far and few in between in Japan these monks helped save the Zui dynasty from many crises even from Japan.
Next subject is Emperor Cho <590   618>. This emperor was soldier who knew how to reach people and was aware of their concerns and made many wise decisions when called upon to quell riots or rebellions. He accomplished many things during his tenure. The Big Un River Project was one, and he mounted many campaigns into the southern yellow river area to quell disturbances or deal with other self-destructive people, bent on trying to run the government their way and building of a new city called Seikyo.
He started construction of this city in the year 605, 3rd month, and finished the next year during the first month of the year. However, as the records state he misused his manpower and many were said to have died building this city.
He had many other construction projects ongoing in the Northern provinces, and in and around Peking, Fukien, Hangchow City and other areas south of the Yangtze. During the Nambokucho there were many vigorous tunneling projects in order to get thru the Dai Ungo or canal for commerce purposes. This was finished in the year 608.
A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into these projects. Then along came the Kokurei Ensai or the Koguryo Campaign. Koguryo was one of the ancient Northern Korean Dynasties that was active in expansionism during this time 1st Century BC). These people were a hunting race warlike race of people always looking to expand their territory especially in the areas around Manchuria (China), Kungnae Song, Hamhung, Pyongyang, T'ung Chia River, and Tumen River, Salsu River areas. In addition there were two other Dynasties Shilla and Paekche were an agricultural and fishing type of race.
These three were always in contention with each other and with China for expansion purposes in Korea and China.
The Sui and Tang Dynasties were also looking the in the manner into expanding into the Korean peninsula either thru peaceful means or otherwise. During the 6th Century the three Kingdoms had their areas divided off with Kogoryu having the larger share. There were several attempts made by China to invade the Korean peninsula the first in 598 and then in 612 both of which met with failure. Even with the large armies the Chinese possessed (300,000 + in one instance) they still met with problems of resistance and logistics, weather and a host other issues during their reign. Then the new Emperor Ko who took the reins during of the Zui or Sui Dynasty new that Koguryo was expanding northwest into China dispatched troops to stop this action this effort made by the Chinese also met with failure and heavy loss of troops. In 613 the Chinese who met with disastrous results launched another campaign.

During the 6th month of that year the Chinese had problems in Honan and Konan Provinces and a man of special honors was dispatched to look into these rebellions. Emperor Ko with vast experience in campaigns also was dealing with the Miroku Kyobi no Ran, which dealt with the Biroku Butsu (Biroku Buddha) which was a saint under Gautama who expoused salvation for man thru the use of Buddhism.

Then in late 613 a Chinese Philosopher Soshiken spearheaded a campaign to look into the Biroku Kyohi (Biroku Religious Rebellion).