Ningai
Ningai (仁海) (950s-1046). A Heian-period Shingon monk.[1]
He reportedly took the tonsure under Shinga 眞雅 when he was 7.[1]
He studied under Gengō 元杲, from whom he received the Dharma transmission initiation (denpō kanjō) in 990.[1]
In 991, he founded Mandaradera 曼荼羅寺 at the Ono 小野 property in Kyōto. The dharma lineage running from Shōbō through Ningai and down to the six Ono schools was named after Mandaraderaʼs location.[1]
In 1018 and the years following, Ningai preformed rain-making rituals nine times, and because his offices were so effective, he became known as the 'Rain Monk.'[1]
In 1029, he became steward (bettō) of Tōdai-ji.[1]
His best known disciple is perhaps Jōson 成尊.[1]
Ningai also authored a number of works, the most famous of which is the Ono rokuchō 小野六帖.[1]
