First Awakening
He again went traveling for two years, settling down at the Eigan-ji temple. It was here that Hakuin had his first experience of enlightenment. He locked himself away in a shrine in the temple for seven days, and eventually reached what he believed to be an intense awakening upon hearing the ringing of the temple bell.He came to conclusion that there is no cycle of rebirth (probably because of learning root buddhist teachings on this matter). However, his master refused to acknowledge this enlightenment, and Hakuin left the temple.
Hakuin did not receive formal dharma transmission from Shoju Rojin, nor from any other teacher, but Hakuin considered himself to be an heir of Shoju Rojin. Today Hakuin is considered to have received dharma transmission from Shoju.
Read more about this topic: Hakuin Ekaku, Biography
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