The Life and Works of the Monk Donggao, a Chinese Chan Master in Japan

Abstract In this article Dr. van Gulik (1910–1967) explores the life and times of the Chinese Buddhist monk Donggao 東皐 (1639–1695) who was not willing to live under the Manchu conquerors and left China for Japan. After his arrival in early 1677 he met with hostility, but, thanks to the intercession by his patron, prince Tokugawa Mitsukuni 德川光圀, he was able to stay in Japan, founded a new branch of the Chan school, the Shouchang sect 壽昌, and became the first abbot of this branch at Gionji 祇園寺 in Mito. The erudition of Donggao, and his skill in seal carving, calligraphy, lute-play and poetry, was much admired by Japanese monks and scholars. Dr. van Gulik presents numerous examples of his cultural endeavors, taken from his own sizable collection. This article was written by Dr. van Gulik in 1941 shortly before the Pacific War broke out, resulting in postponement of its publication. The type-written manuscript is now part of the Robert van Gulik archives in the East Asian Library at Leiden University.