teacher of the nation [国師] ( kokushi): A title conferred by the ruler of a nation upon distinguished Buddhist monks who were regarded as models of virtue for their country. According to A Collection of Records concerning the Tripitaka, Kumārayāna, the father of Kumārajīva, was designated teacher of the nation by the ruler of Kucha. In Japan, the title teacher of the nation was bestowed for the first time in 1311 on the Zen priest Enni (1202–1280) after his death; his posthumous name and title are the Teacher of the Nation Shōichi.