Dōkyō ［道鏡］ (d. 772): A priest of the Dharma Characteristics (Hossō) school who lived at Tōdai-ji temple in Nara, Japan. In 761 the Retired Empress Kōken fell ill, and Dōkyō was summoned to court to pray for her recovery. His prayers were regarded as effective, and he won her trust and esteem. When she reassumed the throne as Empress Shōtoku in 764, Dōkyō became her advisor and in time acquired considerable power. It is said that he was planning to usurp the throne, but courtiers such as Wake no Kiyomaro prevented him from doing so. After the death of the empress in 770, he was banished to Yakushi-ji temple in Shimotsuke Province, where he died.