Enkouji Temple was originally founded as the site of the Rakuyo School by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Since anyone was admitted, both clergy and laity, the school possessed such an open spirit that versatile talents thrived there, from learned priests to writers and artists, and thus the temple played an important role in the development of Japanese culture.
From the Meiji era, the temple was used as a seminary for nuns and generously accepted every woman who renounced the world.
The Rinzai Zen Buddhism of Enkouji teaches listening to one’s inner voice and seeking truth.
That philosophy can be still seen in the temple buildings as well as the gardens.

(quoted from the Enkouji temple formal website)