SZBA Women Ancestor Project – Presentation October 8, 2010, revised October 22, 2010

MYTHICAL ANCESTORS womb of the Tathagatas multiple primary sources

Maha Buddha’s mother multiple primary sources; treated as a mythical figure in many stories

Srimala Queen, lay student, great teacher Lion’s Roar of Queen Srimala; a devoted to a woman’s life and teaching

Tara Tibetan who leads beings to awakening

Ratnavati Naga woman who preaches the Sutra of Sāgara, the Nāga King, also naturally; beats called the Ocean Dragon King Sutra. Mahākāśyapa in and

Buddha predicts her ultimate awakening

Prabhuta a lay woman who instructs Sudhana; she is greatest in generosity

Sinhavijurmbhita taught liberation through removal of Avatamsaka Sutra “all vain imaginings”

INDIAN ANCESTORS ( c 500 BC leader of the Nuns’ ; Therigatha; stories of the Buddha’s Buddha’s aunt and stepmother life For all nuns sourced Therigatha)

Khema foremost in wisdom Therigatha

Sundarinanda foremost in meditation; Buddha’s Therigatha stepsister

Patacara foremost in discipline Therigatha

Bhadda Kundalakesa foremost in insight; only woman Therigatha ordained by the Buddha himself

Sumana foremost among lay women Therigatha

Kisagotami foremost in humility Therigatha; her story is repeated in many other sources

Dhamma best example of practice in advanced Therigatha age

Uppalavanna foremost in magical and psychic Therigatha powers; a shape-shifter Yashodhara foremost in supernatural powers; Therigatha; Cabezon Buddha’s wife

Soma foremost in energy Therigatha

Sakula foremost in seeing other worlds Therigatha

Bhadda Kapilani foremost in knowing past lives Therigatha

Singalaka mata foremost in faith Therigatha

Samavati foremost in loving-kindness Therigatha

Sanghamitta Theri (300 BCE) King ’s daughter Sri Lanka’s history; brought Bhikkhuni order from to Sri Lanka, thus linking to first Chinese nuns

Prasannasilla (300 CE) Nun who was the mother of Janet Gyatso and Vasubandu

CHINESE ANCESTORS Jingjian (c 300-) early Buddhist nun “Lives of the Nuns”

Zongji (c 500) ’s “flesh” multiple sources incl. Dogen

Empress Wu (625-705) strengthened roles for Buddhist “Empress Wu” (Paul) women

Lingzhao (d808) ’s daughter and his Record of Layman Pang equal in Dharma combat

Ling Xingpo (850) Dharma combat praised by Nansen Jin de chuan deng lu and Joshu

Moshan Liaoran (866) first woman in the roku; first woman Ching-te-ch’uan-teng-lu with official Chan transmission, first women recorded with male students; Imperial purple robe

Liu Tiemo – “Iron Grinder Lu” (880) the subject of ; renowned for ; Book of Serenity strength and fearlessness

Miaoxin (883) guestmaster at monastery; practiced Dogen, based on Chinese sources side by side with men; taught “is the flag moving or the wind?”

Shiji (900) beat Juzhi in Dharma combat Blue Cliff Record

Juhan Daojen (c1050) Dharma heir of Yuanwu Levering Daoshen (c 1050) Dharma Heir of Levering or Family Tree

Huiguang (c 1100) Imperial purple robe, head of large Cleary, Jia tai pudeng lu monastery, lectured mixed groups

Huiwen (c 1100) Dharma heir of Foyan Qingyuan Cleary Jia tai pudeng lu and other collections

Fadeng (c1100) Dharma heir of Huiwen; known as a Cleary, Jia tai pudeng lu “Great Master”

Yu Daopo (c 1100) lay woman; Langye Yongqi’s only Leggett Dharma heir

Miaodao (1089-1163) first Dharma heir of Levering, Cleary , et al and the first student to awaken using

his new method

Zhidong (d. 1124) bathhouse Dharma combat; relative Ogata, multiple Chinese sources of Miaozong, wrote The Record on (Kongshi Daoren lay name) Clarifying the Mind

Miaozong (1095-1170) a Dharma heir of Dahui Levering, Cleary, et al

Lady Qinguo (c 1100) Lay woman Dharma heir of Dahui Cleary, et al

Wenzhao (c 1200) reformed 5 convents from to Jia tai pudeng lu Chan ; had a male heir

Miaohui (1500) important teacher with many Grant, Daughters of Emptiness disciples

Zhiyuan Xinggang (1517-1604) Linji Lineage Holder Grant

Jizong Xingche (1606) Lineage holder and abbot Grant

Jifu Zukui (1610) Abbot and writer Grant

Shenyi (c 1722) Abbot, teacher Grant

JAPANESE ANCESTORS Zenshin (584) first ordained Japanese Buddhist Nihon Shoki, Ruch, et al

Kōmyō (701-760) Empress, established sutra copying Nihon Shoki, Ruch et al practice, helped establish Sotoshu system, established many convents Buddhist practitioner and Empress Tachibana no Kachiko (786-850) Ruch, Engendering Faith sponsored Chan priest I-Kung from to Japan and temple Danrinji Ryōnen (c1200) one of Dogen’s primary students; she Bodiford, Levering, Dogen is believed to have influenced Dogen

Shogaku (ordained 1225) Dogen’s relative and supporter was Arai ordained

Egi (c 1200) Dogen’s student, Koun Ejo’s Dharma Bodiford, Levering, Dogen sister, nursed Dogen on his deathbed, helped Eiheiji transition

Mugai Nyodai (1223-98) the first acknowledged female Ruch and multiple master in Japan, founded Keiaiji

Kakuzan Shido (1252-1305) founder of Tokeiji, related to Mugai Ruch, et al Nyodai

Ekan Daishi (d 1314) abbot, devoted to Kanzeon, mother Daijoji records, Faure, Bodiford, et al of

Seitaku (also called Shotaku) Third Abbess Tokeiji fended off rape Leggett (Warior Koans), Ruch, with paper sword Morrell

Kontō Ekyu (1300) first Japanese woman to receive Soto Daijoji records , Faure, Bodiford, et al transmission

Mokufu Sonin (ordained in 1319) first abbot of Enzuin, women’s Daijoji records, Faure, Bodiford, et al hermitage at Yokoji; close student of Keizan

Soitsu (c. 1350) Gasan’s heir with her own disciples Faure

Eshun (b. 1364) Serious Soto nun, famous for grace Leggett, Bodiford and humor in dealing with misogyny and obstacles to training

Yōdō (1318-1396) abbot of Tokeiji, teaching poet, great Ruch, et al advocate of Wesak

Kodai-in, (Kogetsu-ni) (1549-1624) established Kodai-ji Kodaiji

Soshin-ni (1588-1675) student of Takuan, spiritual advisor Soshin-ni Hogo to Tokugawa Iemitsu

Tenshu (1608-1645) abbot of Tokeiji , surviving princess, Ruch, Morrell offered one request by shogun, asked for Tokeiji’s protection. Saved Hori women from being kidnapped.

Daitsu Bunchi (1619-1697) writer and artist, left Imperial Court Fister to establish Enshoji

Ryonen Gensō (1646-1711) famous for burning her face in order Addiss to practice; enlightenment certified by Dōtai; revived an abandoned temple; poetry and calligraphy still honored today

Tachibana no Someko (1660-1705) wrote Wastepaper Record and King, Fumihiko commentary on Mumonkan; a lay woman who received a kesa

Tokugon Riho (1672-1745) restored convents Fister

Satsu (c 1700) lay woman; Dharma heir of Hakuin Hakuin

Ohashi (c 1700) lay woman; enlightened certified by Hakuin Hakuin

Teijitsu (c 1750) head of Hakuju-an, women’s Sotoshu records hermitage created after women were banned from Eiheiji

Otagaki Rengetsu (1790-1875) Nun who became world famous Stevens artist, poet, and sculptor

Mizuno Tenmyō Jorin (1848-1927) the national leader of nuns and re- Sotoshu records established a national training system for nuns in 20th century

Hori Mitsujo (1868—1927) founder and savior of Soto convents Arai

Nagasawa Sozen (1880-1956) abbot; only independent woman Collection of Meditation Experiences teacher in her time; many devoted students

Nogami Senryo (1883-1980) Abbess Seikan-ji Died standing in front of Buddha chanting Dogen’s Arai Women Living Zen words “Die Sitting, Die Standing” (Zadatsu Ryubo)

Satomi Myodo Yasutani’s first Dharma heir King Spiritual Autobiography of a Nun

Kendō Kojima (1898-1995) international influence and primary Arai force in equalizing training for men and women

Yoshida Eshun (1907-1982) Hashimoto Roshi Dharma Heir taught Selkirk and Tomoe Katagiri

Kasai Joshin (1914-1984) established robe-sewing practice in SFZC records, Selkirk US

Kudo Sumiko (c 1929-1976) Translated Mumonkan from Niwa Roshi, Koon-ji Japanese to English for Shibayama Zenkei and back to Japanese on her death bed. Taught at a temple near Tokyo

NEWER (WESTERN POTENTIAL) ANCESTORS Ruth Eryu Jokei Fuller first Westerner to train in Japan; first Fuller American woman priest in Japan; (1893-1967) important translator; restored Ryosen-an

Maurine Myo-on Stuart certified by ; Stuart established Cambridge Buddhist (1922- 1990) Association; many devoted students;

Houn Jiyu Kennett (1924-1996) first Western woman to practice at Kennett Sojiji; transmitted by Keido Chisan; established Order of Buddhist Contemplatives and Shasta Abbey

Gesshin Myoko Prabhasa Dharma a founder and leader of Cimarron Cheney Cheney (1931-1999) and Mt. Baldy; founder of International Zen Institute

Baiho Trudy Dixon (1939-69) Called “a true ” by Suzuki Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind Roshi

Specific Lineage ancestors Beginning local lineages here (eg Seisho )

NOTES

Mythical Ancestors: Kwan Yin is left out because she appeared originally in male form and is widely revered as a Mahasattva. Maha Maya is here because many important elements of her story are mythical, including that of the Buddha’s conception and her as a guide after her death. The Avatamsaka presents an embarrassment of riches. Sudhana visits many women and girls; these are examples.

Indian Ancestors: The Therigatha also has many examples. With close reading, there are repetitious elements. These women selected offer a wide selection of the most accomplished women.

Chinese Ancestors: Jingjian is one of a large cohort and chosen as an exemplar.

Japanese Ancestors: We left out women who were primarily financial sponsors. Newer Ancestors: There are many choices to be made here. We all have favorites, and it may be too early to know about lasting influence.