Disciple or founding teacher
Kasennen
迦旃延
Introduced as one of the Buddha's Ten Great Disciples, called foremost in debate (rongi daiichi).
This introduction is based on materials from Shōhōin (Tobi Fudō). It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
The name and role of Kasennen
Introduced as one of the Buddha's Ten Great Disciples, called foremost in debate (rongi daiichi). He is also called Makakasennen, and is said to have been intelligent from childhood.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Tracing the figure and traditions
It is said that he became a disciple after he could not make sense of a difficult text and asked the Buddha for teaching. It is noted that there are various accounts of his birth and his life before leaving home.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Those who learned the teaching and passed it on
The Ten Great Disciples are regarded as people who excelled among the Buddha Shaka's disciples in fields such as wisdom, preaching and the precepts. The practice or work in which each excelled is expressed in the title "foremost."
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Until the sutras were handed down
It is said that after the Buddha Shaka's passing, his disciples held a council (ketsujū) to gather and confirm the teachings. A Sōtō school explanation describes Makakashō as leading the gathering, Anan reciting the sermons, Upari reciting the precepts, and the other disciples checking them.
Source: 曹洞宗
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：迦旃延」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：十大弟子」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 曹洞宗「経典」（2026-10-15 確認）