The Understanding of Jingyingsi Huiyuan in the Sipchip’um sagi by Sŏlpa Sangŏn

Abstract

The late Chosŏn period in the 18th century is known as “The Era of Huayan” and the primary object of study at the time was the Huayan jing shuchao 華厳経疏鈔 by Qingliang Chengguan 清涼澄観. The extensive commentaries on the Daśabhūmika-sūtra in the Huayan jing shuchao still remain to the present, and the study by Sŏlpa Sangŏn 雪坂尚彦 (1707–1791) had a powerful influence on later research. The Chaphwabu 雑貨腐 by Sŏlpa refers to a Daśabhūmika commentary, Sipchip’um sagi 十地品私記. Here the author mentioned Jingyingsi Huiyuan 浄影寺慧遠 several times, mostly to criticize him. However, Sŏlpa did not see the Shidi lun yiji 十地論義記 by Huiyuan. Therefore, his understanding of Huiyuan was only possible through Chengguan. For that reason, he reveals limitations of understanding about Huiyuan in studies on Huayan in the late Chosŏn dynasty.