Chajang - Jizo (English spelling)

Japanese: 慈蔵 - じぞう（英語表記）Chajang

A monk from Silla, Korea. Date of birth and death unknown. Founder of the Ritsu sect in Silla. Born into royal family, he refused to be appointed to government office and became a monk, then went to China by royal command in 636. After returning to Korea in 643, he was appointed Daeguktong and took charge of controlling monks and nuns, and worked to establish the discipline by founding Tongdosa Temple and setting up an ordination platform. He is also said to have proposed the construction of a nine-story pagoda at the site of Hwangnyongsa Temple in hopes of repelling foreign enemies, and to have been instrumental in introducing the Chinese custom of dress and crowns, making him a monk who represented state Buddhism. [Kimura Makoto]

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

朝鮮，新羅の僧。生没年不詳。新羅における律宗の創始者。王族の生れであるが任官を拒否して出家し，636年王命によって入唐した。643年の帰国後は，大国統に任命されて僧尼の統制にあたり，通度寺を創建して戒壇を設けるなど，戒律の定着につとめた。また，外敵撃退を願って皇竜寺址の九層塔の建立を建議したり，中国の衣冠制の導入に功があったとも伝えられており，国家仏教を代表する僧侶であった。【木村誠】

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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