The Significance and Evaluation of the Pretext Literatures with the Name of Seikaku

Abstract

This paper examines the significance of the pretext literatures with the name of Seikaku 聖覚 (1167–1235), who was one of the representative disciples of Hōnen 法然 (1133–1212). These pretext literatures were frequently used by Shōgei 聖冏 (1341–1420) and Shōsō 聖聡 (1366–1440). Since Seikaku was one of the noted disciples of Hōnen, using his name must have been effective, and so the literatures were accepted. In addition, the name of Seikaku was effective in the Kantō area, because the so-called “Agui school of preaching” (Agui-ryū shōdō 安居院流唱導), associated with his name, was popular. It is interesting that Shōgei and Shōsō did not positively use the Yuishinshō 唯信鈔 by Seikaku, perhaps because it was not effective to introduce their doctrinal interpretation.