Rethinking the “Dai Shaku dōi ron”

Abstract

　In this paper, I discuss the Daishakudōi-ron, which constitutes an issue for discussing the “founder” in the context of Japanese esoteric Buddhism and considers the nature of the relation between Dainichi Nyorai (Mahāvairocana) and Shaka (Shakyamuni). This discourse constitutes a debate over whether Dainichi Nyorai and Shaka should be considered the same body or separate bodies. In the past, Tendai esotericism (Taimitsu) has considered them to be the same body, while Shingon esotericism (Tōmitsu) has argued that they should be considered separate bodies.

　After revisiting the descriptions of Tōmitsu scholars, however, it was found that a considerable number of views differed from the conventional wisdom that “Tōmitsu takes the separate bodies position.” In other words, only a small fraction of Tōmitsu scholars supported the separate-body position, while most scholars argued for the same-body position.

　Accordingly, this paper rejects the purportedly conventional view that “Tōmitsu supports the argument that Dainichi Nyorai and Shaka should be considered as separate bodies.”