Kenin-ji, one of the oldest Zen temples in Kyoto, Japan, was founded in 1202 A.D. by the Japanese monk Eisai. As one of the origins of Zen Buddhism in Japan, Kenin-ji not only occupies an important place in the history of Buddhism in Japan, but also has a deep historical connection with China. **Kenin-Ji's connection with China** 1. Origin of Zen: Chinese influence Eisai, the founder of Kenin-ji Temple, was an important pioneer of Zen Buddhism in Japan. He traveled to China twice to study Buddhism, especially during the Southern Song Dynasty, where he studied in depth the teachings of the Rinzai and Tiantai sects. Eisai brought the ideas and practices of Chinese Zen back to Japan and popularized them at Kenrenji Temple, which directly contributed to the prosperity of Zen Buddhism in Japan. 2. The spread of tea culture Eisai not only brought back Zen thoughts from China to Japan, but also introduced Chinese tea culture to Japan. During his studies in China, he was exposed to the Song Dynasty method of tea ordering, and upon his return to Japan, he wrote **The Record of Eating Tea and Nourishing Life**, which laid the foundation of the Japanese tea ceremony. Jianrenji is still considered one of the important birthplaces of Japanese tea culture, and the spread of tea culture is an example of cultural exchange between China and Japan. 3. Artistic and cultural heritage A great deal of Chinese aesthetic ideas from the Song Dynasty have been incorporated into the architecture, garden design and artistic decoration of Kenin-ji. For example, the Zen paintings, Buddha statues and murals in the temple were influenced by traditional Chinese art. These art forms not only reflected the spread of Chinese culture in Japan, but also further enriched the cultural connotations of the native Japanese. 4. Symbolism of the temple The garden design and natural landscape within the grounds of Kenin-jiTemple are also closely related to Chinese Zen thought, which emphasizes the harmony and unity of man and nature. This philosophy is fully embodied in the architectural layout of Kenin-ji Temple. **Contemporary Continuity and Cooperation** In recent years, cultural exchanges between Kenin-ji Temple and China have continued. This includes inviting Chinese artists to participate in the creation of works, as well as deepening the cultural dialog between China and Japan through exhibitions and academic research. For example, the dragon drawings created by Chinese artists at Kenin-ji Temple highlight the inheritance and innovation of ancient culture in the context of contemporary art. Kenin-ji Temple is not only the birthplace of Zen Buddhism in Japan, but also a bridge between Chinese and Japanese cultural exchanges. From Zen teachings to tea culture, from architectural art to contemporary cooperation, this temple has always embodied the deep connection and symbiosis between the two civilizations. Rankei Dōryū (1213-1278) was an important Zen monk of the Kamakura period in Japan, and a landmark figure in the development of Zen Buddhism in Japan. Originally from China, he was a Song dynasty monk who contributed greatly to the spread and development of Zen Buddhism in Japan. His relationship with Kenin-ji is mainly reflected in the following aspects: 1. Rankei Dōryū's arrival in Japan and the spread of Zen Buddhism Rankei Dōryū was born in China during the Southern Song Dynasty and was a descendant of the Rinzai Sect. In 1246, he was invited by Japanese monks to travel eastward to Japan, and he became one of the key figures in promoting the development of Zen Buddhism in Japan. In Japan, he not only spread the Rinzai Sect's Zen teachings, but also brought with him a great deal of Chinese culture, including architecture, calligraphy, painting and garden design. When Rankei Dōryū first arrived in Japan, he briefly lived and taught Zen at Kenin-ji Temple in Kyoto. His influence on Kenin-ji is mainly reflected in the following two points: - Deepening of Zen: Founded by Eisai, Kenin-ji was one of the earliest Zen temples in Japan, but in its early years it was mainly based on Tendai Buddhism. The arrival of Rankei Dōryū further consolidated Kenin-ji's position as the center of Zen Buddhism. - Deepening of cultural exchanges: As a Song Dynasty monk, Rankei Doryu brought Chinese Zen thought and aesthetics directly to Kenin-ji, enriching its religious and cultural connotations. 2. Origin of Rankei Dōryū and Kenin-ji Temple Although Rankei Dōryū had an important influence on Kenin-ji, he did not stay here for a long time. Rankei Dōryū was later invited by the Kamakura Shogunate to travel to the Kamakura region to promote Zen Buddhism, and eventually became the founder of Kamakura's Zen culture. There he founded **Kenchō-ji**, a temple that would later become one of the Five Kamakura Mountains, one of the centers of Zen development in Japan. Although Kenchō-ji was not the place where Rankei Dōryū was permanently stationed, his early missionary activities at Kenchō-ji undoubtedly reinvigorated the development of the temple and played a role in the spread of Zen Buddhism. 3. Cultural significance of Kenin-ji and Rankei Dōryū - Connecting Chinese and Japanese Zen: As a representative of Zen Buddhism in the Song Dynasty, Rankei Dōryū's contribution to Kenin-ji Temple was not only in terms of religious propagation, but also in terms of far-reaching influence in culture and art. - The developmental lineage of Zen Buddhism: The relationship between Kenin-ji Temple and Rankei Dōryū reflects the history of Chinese and Japanese Zen Buddhism in the historical development. From the founding of Kenninji Temple to the spread of Rankei Dōryū, Japanese Zen gradually drew inspiration from Chinese traditions and developed a unique religious and cultural system. **Summary** Although Rankei Dōryū was not a resident monk of Kenin-ji Temple, his visit and short-term dissemination injected new ideas into the Zen teachings of Kenin-ji Temple. This historical detail reflects the central role of Chinese Zen monks in the development of Japanese Buddhism, and also demonstrates the unique position of Kennin Temple as a bridge for cultural exchanges between China and Japan. The activities of Ranxi Doryu not only deepened the Zen tradition of Kenin-ji Temple, but also laid the foundation for the prosperity of Japanese Zen in the future. The relationship between Kenin-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan, and the tea trees of the Song Dynasty in China is profound and special, reflecting an important aspect of Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges. This connection is mainly reflected in the introduction of tea culture to Japan by Chinese monks, and the central role of Kenin-ji Temple in the spread of Japanese tea culture.