Daisen-in is a tatchu sub-temple of the Daitoku-ji temple compound, built by a feudal lord called Rokkaku Masayori in 1509.
A tatchu sub-temple is a small temple built in or near the grounds of a main temple.
Rokkaku Masayori was a feudal lord who ruled the territory around Lake Biwa.
The 76th chief priest of Daitoku-ji, Kogaku Soko, became the founding priest of this temple, Daisen-in. Kogaku Soko was a well-known priest who became a close advisor to numerous aristocrats and influential feudal lords and even the emperor himself.
As a result of his renowned achievements and contributions, he was given permission to build a retreat in the prestigious grounds of Daitoku-ji.
To tell the truth, Kogaku Soko was actually a son of Rokkaku Masayori, the founder of this temple.
Born into the feudal lord class, he later entered the priesthood to train himself in Buddhism as a Zen monk.
Daisen-in is located on the north side of Hojo, the priest’s living quarters, in the head temple of Daitoku-ji.
This tells us of the tremendous presence that Daisen-in has among the various tatchu sub-temples located in the Daitoku-ji complex.
Visiting the grounds of Daisen-in, you can get a deep sense of the spirit of Zen as practiced by the great priest Kogaku Soko.
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