Ryonen: The Female Zen Master Who Surpassed Dogen

In the rich tapestry of Japanese Zen history, few figures are as intriguing yet overlooked as Ryonen, a female Zen practitioner who lived during the turbulent transition between the Heian and Kamakura periods. Despite the patriarchal constraints of her time, Ryonen’s spiritual journey demonstrates remarkable dedication and wisdom that earned her the profound respect of even the renowned Zen master Eihei Dogen. Let’s explore the life and legacy of this extraordinary woman whose spiritual achievements continue to inspire practitioners today.

Who Was Ryonen?

Born around 1165 in Japan, Ryonen (the Japanese form of Liaoran) was likely named after the ninth-century Chinese female Zen master Moshan Liaoran, the first woman officially recognized in the Chan transmission lineage. Though historical records about Ryonen remain sparse, piecing together available information reveals a woman whose spiritual depth and commitment transcended the gender limitations of medieval Japan.

Ryonen lived during a pivotal era in Japanese history, as the country transitioned from imperial rule to the military governance of the shogunate. While samurai and shoguns dominate historical accounts of this period, ordinary people—particularly women—often remain in historical shadows. Ryonen’s obscurity may suggest she came from a modest background rather than aristocratic circles.

Historical Context: Japan During Ryonen’s Lifetime

When Ryonen was in her late teens, Japan experienced catastrophic hardships: widespread famine (1181-1182), devastating natural disasters including typhoons and earthquakes, and the five-year Genpei War (1180-1185). Historical accounts describe horrific scenes of drought-stricken rice fields, desperate refugees, rampant crime, abandoned children, and unburied bodies lining public roads.

This tumultuous environment formed the backdrop of Ryonen’s spiritual journey, perhaps influencing her decision to step away from secular life. While we don’t know whether she was ever married or had children, records confirm she became a nun in the Daruma school, considered by many to be Japan’s first Zen tradition.

Spiritual Journey: From Daruma School to Dogen’s Teachings

As a female practitioner in medieval Japan, Ryonen faced significant discrimination. The prevalent belief held that women lacked the capacity for enlightenment, and numerous restrictions limited women’s participation in Buddhist practice. For instance, Mount Hiei, a sacred center for Buddhist ceremonies and gatherings, was completely off-limits to women and nuns.

These limitations may explain why Ryonen eventually left the Daruma school to become a student of Eihei Dogen—a revolutionary Zen master approximately 35 years her junior who held remarkably progressive views on gender equality in spiritual practice.

Dogen’s Revolutionary View on Women Practitioners

Dogen’s perspective on women in Buddhism was radically different from most of his contemporaries. Having studied in China (1223-1227), he witnessed firsthand a tradition where female practitioners enjoyed greater equality—including women who served as Zen masters to both female and male students.

In his writings, Dogen explicitly rejected gender discrimination. In his text “Raihai Tokuzui,” he stated: “What is so exceptional about being born male? Space is space; four elements are four elements; five skandhas are five skandhas; the distinction between men and women is also thus. Both genders attain enlightenment.”

He further criticized exclusionary practices: “There is a laughable practice unique to Japan. They mark a certain area and call it the sacred realm or hall of religious practice, where it is forbidden for nuns and women to come. This custom has been applied for centuries without any question as to its validity.”

The Special Relationship Between Ryonen and Dogen

When Ryonen joined Dogen’s community around 1231, she was approximately 60 years old—considered elderly in medieval Japan. Despite the age difference, Dogen immediately recognized her as an advanced practitioner with extraordinary insight and dedication.

In several recorded dharma talks addressed specifically to her, Dogen expressed his profound respect. In one such address, he remarked: “You, Ryonen, follower of this path, possess the seed of wisdom (prajna), and have from the beginning embraced the demanding practice of the buddhas. Although you are a woman, you are endowed with the courage of a man of great caliber.”

In another instance, Dogen presented her with a koan about “The mind is Buddha” and “No mind, no Buddha,” asking for her expression of this paradox—a clear indication that he viewed her as a fully capable Zen practitioner regardless of gender.

Most remarkably, in yet another address, Dogen concluded by stating: “I stand beside you in your fiery determination to follow this path, dear Ryonen. You, who far surpass me in understanding of the teaching.”

Ryonen’s Death and Dogen’s Tribute

When Ryonen died, Dogen expressed his profound grief through two memorial poems that further affirmed her spiritual attainment. In one poem, he wrote:

“Nothing is holy in the vast universe” – immeasurable was your understanding of these words. Testing your awakening was like placing snowflakes on a red-hot burning stove.

I cannot help but ask – where have you gone? What kind of moon do you see from beneath the deep azure waves?

This poetic tribute not only expresses Dogen’s personal loss but reaffirms Ryonen’s profound enlightenment, comparing her understanding to the instantaneous melting of snowflakes on a blazing surface.

Why Ryonen Matters Today

Ryonen exemplifies spiritual determination in the face of systemic obstacles. Despite living in an era when women faced serious limitations in religious practice, she persevered to become a practitioner whose insight impressed even the founder of Japanese Soto Zen.

Though we have no direct writings from Ryonen herself—only accounts about her—her influence persists. She demonstrates that awakened presence can transcend societal constraints and leave a lasting impact across centuries.

For modern practitioners, Ryonen represents the timeless truth that spiritual realization knows no gender. As our previous article on Japanese folklore explores, Japanese culture contains many hidden feminine narratives that challenge conventional historical accounts.

Learning from Ryonen’s Example

The story of Ryonen offers valuable lessons for contemporary spiritual seekers:

• Persistence despite obstacles: Like Ryonen, we can pursue spiritual development regardless of external limitations
• Recognition of wisdom regardless of source: Dogen’s willingness to acknowledge Ryonen’s superior understanding reminds us to recognize wisdom wherever it appears
• The timelessness of authentic practice: True spiritual insight transcends historical and cultural constraints

If you’re interested in exploring more stories of influential Japanese figures, you might enjoy our examination of Raitaro the God of Thunder, another fascinating element of Japanese cultural heritage.

Q&A About Ryonen

Q: Who was Ryonen in Zen Buddhism? A: Ryonen was a female Zen master who lived in Japan around 1200 CE and studied under the famous Zen master Eihei Dogen.

Q: What makes Ryonen significant in Buddhist history? A: Ryonen is significant because she achieved deep spiritual insight during a time when women faced severe discrimination in religious practice, eventually earning extraordinary praise from Dogen himself.

Q: Did Ryonen receive formal Dharma transmission? A: Despite Dogen’s acknowledgment that Ryonen “far surpassed” him in understanding, historical records don’t indicate she received formal Dharma transmission.

Q: How did Dogen describe Ryonen’s understanding? A: Dogen compared testing Ryonen’s awakening to “placing snowflakes on a red-hot burning stove,” suggesting her understanding was immediate and complete.

Q: What can modern practitioners learn from Ryonen? A: Ryonen teaches us that authentic spiritual practice transcends gender, age, and social constraints, and that true insight can flourish even under challenging circumstances.

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