A Study of Ennin’s Diary (Nittō guhō junrei kōki):

The Central Buddhist Ritual of Silla Buddhist Temple (Jŏksan Bŏphwa wŏn)

Abstract

Ennin’s Diary (Nittō guhō junrei kōki 入唐求法巡礼行記) is a four volume diary written by Ennin 円仁, a Japanese Buddhist monk in China during the ninth century. It records reference to a temple (Jŏksan Bŏphwa wŏn 赤山法華院) established by Jang Bogo 張保皐 in China. Ennin wrote his diary while on Buddhist pilgrimage to China for nine years and three months (838–847).

This paper focuses on a study of features of the Buddhist rituals of Jŏksan Bŏphwa wŏn. There are five features. The first is the scripture-lecturing rite at Jŏksan Bŏphwa wŏn. The second is Silla rite of a single-day lecture. The third is Silla rite of reciting scriptures. The fourth is the importance given to dhyāna (禅). The fifth is the importance given to the eight-scroll Suvarṇaprabhāsasūtra (金光明経). According to my analysis, these rituals were unique methods of Buddhist repentance (懺法) found only at Jŏksan Bŏphwa wŏn.

Moreover, this paper examines Hieizan’s 比叡山 Buddhist rituals and examines how they are influenced by Tang rituals and those of Silla as seen at Jŏksan Bŏphwa wŏn.