Mengrun’s Explanation for the Teaching of the Incomprehensible State

Abstract

Although Yugang Mengrun’s 玉岡蒙潤 (1275–1342) Tiantai sijiaoyi jizhu 天台四教儀集註 has been used widely from the Edo period onward, it is a fact that this text contains a number of unorthodox views, of which its explanation of the Teaching of the Incomprehensible State (huata busiyi jing 化他不思議境) is one example. However, Mengrun’s interpretation of this concept should not been seen as a mere mistake. Mengrun interpreted the Teaching of the Incomprehensible State as not actively preaching to others. Furthermore, this interpretation of Mengrun is related to the Establishment of Teachings (qijiao 起教), which is not part of the Mohe zhiguan 摩訶止観. In the Song period, Siming Zhili 四明知礼 (960–1028) suggested that one should practice the Establishment of Teachings before the realization of Buddhahood (chengfo 成仏). Although Jingjue Renyue 浄覚仁岳 (992–1064), as a monk of the Post Shanwai group (Hou Shanwai pai 後山外派), criticized Zhili’s theory, Foguang Fazhao 仏光法照 (1185–1273) and Wulin Kedu 武林可度 (dates unknown) defended Zhili’s theory against Renyue’s criticism. The present paper demonstrates that this debate in Song period Tiantai is the source of Mengrun’s explanation.