Toyo Eicho

Toyo Eicho was an early figure in the Japanese Rinzai lineage who helped establish the Myoshinji tradition founded by Kanzan Egen. He served as an abbot and teacher who maintained the rigorous practice standards that Kanzan had established, ensuring that the Myoshinji lineage retained its contemplative depth as it grew institutionally.

Eicho's contribution to the Rinzai tradition lies in his role as a bridge between the founding generation and the later development of the Myoshinji school. His faithful maintenance of Kanzan's standards helped establish the patterns of practice and institutional life that would sustain the lineage through the centuries leading up to Hakuin's great revival.