Koumyou, Sanzo

This man is Genjyo Sanzo's master and the parent who raised him, serving as the previous Sanzo priest. He found the baby floating down the river, named him "Kouryuu," and brought him up. He was the protector of both the "Seiten Sutra" and the "Maten Sutra," but as soon as he entrusted them to Genjyo Sanzo, he was attacked by opposing youkai and died. His life ended at 47 years. He is endlessly good-tempered and soft-mannered, yet he moves at his own pace and is a natural fool. Even so, he displays a side so philosophical that it is as though he can see far into the future.
He is an old acquaintance of Goudai Sanzo, and together they spent their days as apprentice monks under the teachings of Arch-Bishop Jikaku. Koumyou succeeded to the "Seiten Sutra" and Goudai to the "Muten Sutra." Their friend, the youkai Tenkai Sanzo, walked the path of Sanzo priest with them, but with his death, the "Maten Sutra" that Tensan possessed was given to the care of Koumyou as well. Although this writing takes place 12 years after his death, Koumyou is a key person in "Saiyuki".