Gyōki

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Gyōki (行基 668 - 749) was a Japanese Buddhism priest of Nara period. Historians believe that he was a descendant of people from Baekje in the Korean Peninsula^{[citation needed]}.

Born in Ōtri county, Kawachi Province, Gyōki learned theology in Kandai-ji temple. He then formed a volunteer group to help the poor mainly in Kansai region, but the group was oppressed by the government. However, he was recognized later and in 745 became the first priest who was given a rank of Daisōjō. He also produced constructions of several ponds and contributed to building of Tōdai-ji. He died on 0749-02-02 at 80 years old and buried at Chikurin-ji, now in Ikoma, Nara. The imperial court granted him the title of Bosatsu (Bodhisattva), so in Japan he is often referred to as Gyōki Bosatsu.