The Wuliangyi jing in the Early Japanese Tendai School

Abstract

Saichō 最澄 particularly esteemed the Wuliangyi jing 無量義経 (Sutra of immeasurable meanings) because it supports the ideas of common people directly attaining buddhahood (Daijikidō 大直道) and that the Buddha taught for more than 40 years before revealing the ultimate truth of the Lotus Sutra. Before writing the Hokke shūku 法華秀句 in 821, Saichō did not accept that the Wuliangyi jing is theory of the teachings being expounded in accord with the capacities of their audience (zuitai 随他意) which was described in the Fahua xuanyi 法華玄義. After writing it, he accepted this idea but did not adopt the theory that the sutra is easy to believe and understand. Enchin 円珍 had raised the status of the sutra by arguing that it preaches the idea that all becomes one. Annen 安然 said that, from the point of view of the ten realms of the complete doctrine, the one vehicle and the provisional Mahayana in the Wuliangyi jing are the same.