Zhisheng and Three Levels Movement: Thoughts on the Creation of the Ji zhujing lichan yi and its Inclusion in the Kaiyuan shijiao lu

Abstract

In this paper I argue that Zhisheng 智昇 exhibits different attitudes toward the Three Levels Movement 三階教 in each of his works. Although he quotes writings from the Three Levels Movement in his Ji zhujing lichan yi 集諸経礼懺儀, he criticizes the movement in the Kaiyuan shijiao lu 開元釈教録. This may be because at the time he wrote the Kaiyuan shijiao lu, the Three Levels Movement was oppressed, and Zhisheng, wanting to not oppose government opinion, criticized the movement. However, in the Ji zhujing lichan yi he quoted Three Levels Movement texts in order to preserve them for the future.