Rōben ［良弁］ (689–773): The second patriarch of the Japanese Flower Garland (Kegon) school and the first chief priest of Tōdai-ji temple in Nara. He originally studied the teachings of the Dharma Characteristics (Hossō) school under Gien and lived at Konshō-ji temple. In 740 he invited Shinjō, who was living at Daian-ji temple in Nara, to come to Konshō-ji and lecture on the Flower Garland Sutra. Since this was the first lecture on the Flower Garland Sutra ever given in Japan, Shinjō is regarded as the founder of the Flower Garland school in that country. Rōben became his successor. Under the patronage of Emperor Shōmu, he devoted himself to the building of Tōdai-ji temple. In 752 he was appointed the temple’s first chief priest and later was given the title administrator of priests.