Zen Master MUGAKU SOGEN (1226-86) was born in the era of Northern Song dynasty in China. Invited by HOJO TOKIMUNE (the 8th regent to the Kamakura shogunate), MUGAKU SOGEN crossed the sea and arrived in Japan in the midst of the armed conflicts against Mongolia. Especially in the fierce KouAn-War in 1281, 100-150 thousands of both sides were killed, and MUGAKU SOGEN thereafter set his mind on founding ENGAKUJI in sincere hope of National protection, Zen promotion, and mourning for all war victims of even both sides.

 The name of ENGAKIUJI was given after a story that Engaku-Kyo (The Sutra on Perfect Enlightenment) was unearthed from the grounds in constructing the monastery. On the other hand, as to ZUIROKU-SAN that is the other official name of ENGAKUJI and symbolizes it as a holy mountain, an auspicious story is handed down, that white deer came out from a cave named as Byakurokudo to listen to the FOUNDER MUGAKU's sermon at the temple's founding ceremony.

 ENGAKUJI was founded in 1282 under the patronage of HOJO TOKINUME, the 8th regency of Kamakura shogunate, and developed a grand appearance of monastery through the Kamakura Era. Even after the fall of the HOJO administration (in 1333), ENGAKUJI still maintained its position as the second ranking among the Five Great Zen Temples of Kamakura, but gradually faced stagnation, loss of patronage, and damage by several fire and disaster.
 ENGAKUJI began to be revived around late 18th century with the efforts of the head priest SEISETSU SHUCHO (1745-1820) who rebuilt the monastery and innovate morality. Even after the movement to abolish Buddhism around 1870 in Japan, IMAKITA KOSEN (1816-92) and SHAKU SOEN (1860-1919) further activated missionary work for laymen, and fostered the spread of Zen not only to the general public but also even to the worldwide.
 Today ENGAKUJI still maintains silent tension and traditional monastery as one of Great Zen Temples, and many people visit for worship, Zen practices, sermon meetings and so on every season.