Dōshō ［道昭］ (629–700): A priest of Japan who first introduced the Dharma Characteristics (Hossō) school to his country. A native of Kawachi Province, he entered the priesthood at Gangō-ji temple in Nara. In 653 he went to China, where he studied the Dharma Characteristics doctrine under Hsüan-tsang and the Zen teachings under Hui-man. After an eight-year period of study in China, he returned to Japan and introduced the Dharma Characteristics doctrine. This is regarded as the first transmission of the Dharma Characteristics doctrine to Japan. He also traveled to many provinces to propagate the Dharma Characteristics teaching. He built a meditation hall at Gangō-ji, where he preserved the Buddhist scriptures he had brought from China. In 698 he was appointed general supervisor of priests. After his death, his body was cremated according to his instructions; this is considered the first case of cremation in Japan.