（1） （China） （2） （Korea） （3） （Japan） The head temple of the Engakuji branch of Japanese Rinzai， located in Kita-Kamakura， founded by Wúxué zuyuán 无学祖元 in 1282. One of the five Zen temples in Kamakura. In the ages of Bun-ei and Koan， Japan was attacked twice by Mongolia. It was the most unprecedented national crisis Japan ever met. Executive Tokimune Hojo， who had long embraced Zen， profoundly carried out his daily study of Zen even during the dangerous period of Koan. Wúxué zuyuán （Bukko^ Kokushi佛光国师） was the Chan master from China whom the executive looked up to. The Japanese nation engaged the formidable enemy as a whole and beat back the Mongolians. After this， Tokimune wished not only to spread the way of Zen that remained his mental support all the while， but to hold a mass for the souls， of both Japanese and Mongolian soldiers who laid down their life in those wars. He also wanted to express his gratitude to his master Bukko^. Thus， the building of a temple was envisioned. The temple was given the name of engaku after Engaku-Kyo （Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment 圆觉经）， dug out of the selected building site， in a stone chest.
The establishment of Bukko^ sect was succeeded from Ko^ho^ Ken-nichi 高峰显日 of Nasu Ungen-ji to Muso Soseki 梦窓疎石 of Tenryu^-ji 天龙寺. Especially Muso was respected as 'the master of seven emperors' in the era of Northern and Southern Dynasties （1336-1392）. His school formed the major influence of the Zen world of Japan in the Muromachi Era （1338-1573）. The temple encountered fire several times. It also experienced temporary decline. However， Priest Seisetsu 诚拙 appeared at the end of the Edo Era （1603-1867） and reconstructed the monastery to consolidate the foundation of the present Engaku-ji. He maintained the austere atmosphere for trainees， carrying out the reform of the sect.
In the Meiji Era （1868-1912）， itinerant and laity trainees， called koji 居士， learned Zen under the direction of Imakita Kosen and his disciple Shaku So^en 释宗演. The temple became the center of Zen in the Kanto Area. From the zazen course for students at Kojirin， outstanding men of ability appeared in great numbers in its long proud history. Engaku-ji runs zazen circles of various kinds and summer courses open for the public. Engaku-ji has eighteen branch temples in its site in addition to Jo^chi-ji 净智寺， To^kei-ji 东庆寺， and Zuisen-ji瑞泉寺 nearby.