Hakuin Ekaku

Hakuin Ekaku
Hakuin Ekaku, self-portrait (1767)
TitleRōshi
Personal life
Bornc.1686
Diedc.1769
Education
Religious life
ReligionBuddhism
SchoolRinzai

Hakuin Ekaku (白隠 慧鶴; January 19, 1686 – January 18, 1769) was one of the most influential figures in Japanese Zen Buddhism, who regarded bodhicitta, working for the benefit of others, as the ultimate concern of Zen-training. While never having received formal dharma transmission, he is regarded as the reviver of the Japanese Rinzai school from a period of stagnation, focusing on rigorous training methods integrating meditation and koan practice.