Yakushin ［益信］ (827–906): A priest regarded as a precursor of the Hirosawa branch of the True Word (Shingon) school in Japan. Yakushin entered the priesthood at Daian-ji temple in Nara. He studied the doctrine of the Dharma Characteristics (Hossō) school under Myōsen, a priest of Gangō-ji temple in Nara, and the esoteric teachings under Shūei, a priest of Tō-ji, a head temple of the True Word school in Kyoto. In 887 he advanced to the position of ajari ( āchārya), which in that esoteric tradition qualifies one to receive and transmit the secret doctrines. In 891 he became chief priest of Tō-ji. Kanchō (916–998), a later teacher of Yakushin’s doctrines, built Henshō-ji temple at Hirosawa in Kyoto. This became the center of Yakushin’s lineage within the True Word school, which thus came to be called the Hirosawa branch.