When Dogen died in September 1253, his disciple Koun Ejo succeeded to the position of chief priest of Eihei-ji Temple and became the second head priest of the Soto sect.
曹洞宗の開祖道元が建長5年（1253年）8月に入寂すると、弟子の孤雲懐奘が永平寺住職を継ぎ、曹洞宗2祖となった。