Kochi
Kochi
[広智] (n.d.)
A priest of the Tendai school in Japan during the late eighth and early ninth centuries. He began his studies under Dochu, who was a disciple of Ganjin (688-763; Chin Chien-chen), founder of the Japanese Precepts (Ritsu) school. Kochi lived at Daiji-ji temple in Shimotsuke Province. After Dochu's death, he became a central figure in the Precepts school in the Kanto area. He was widely revered for his outstanding virtue and was called Bodhisattva Kochi. When Dengyo traveled to Kanto, Kochi learned the Tendai meditation and the doctrines of the Lotus Sutra from him. Following Dengyo's instruction, he devoted himself to propagating the Tendai doctrines in Kanto. Kochi is said to have assisted Dengyoin copying sutras. He conducted the tonsure ceremony for Jikaku, a native of Shimotsuke Province, and introduced him to Dengyo. Jikaku later became the third chief priest of Enryaku-ji, the head temple of the Tendai school.
