Hōgen school (Chin., Fa-yen-tsung; Jap., Hōgen-shū); a school of Ch’an (Zen) that be longs to the five houses-seven schools (Goke-shichishū), i.e., to the great schools of the authentic Ch’an tradition. It was founded by Hsüan-sha Shih-pei (Jap., Gensha Shibi), a student and dharma successor (hassu) of Hsüeh-feng I-ts’un (Jap., Seppō Gison), after whom it was originally called the Hsüan-sha school.
Master Hsüan-sha’s renown was later over shadowed by that of his grandson in dharma Fa-yen Wen-i (Jap., Hōgen Bun’eki) and since then the lineage has been known as the Fa-yen (Jap., Hōgen) school. Fa-yen, one of the most important Ch’an masters of his time, attracted students from all parts of China. His sixty-three dharma successors spread his teaching over the whole of the country and even as far as Korea. For three generations the Hōgen school flourished but died out after the fifth generation.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zen. Shambhala Publications, Inc.
Books on Hōgen school
External links: Goke-shichishū / Hsüan-sha Shih-pei (Gensha Shibi) / dharma / hassu / Hsüeh-feng I-ts’un (Seppō Gison) / Fa-yen Wen-i (Hōgen Bun’eki)