The Manuscript of the Gubun yuishiki in the Tōdaiji Library

Abstract

In recent years, within medieval Japanese Buddhist studies, short writings concerning doctrinal debates or personal records have gathered attention, particularly with regard to themes such as “daikushiki tai” 第九識体, “sanshō jōbutsu” 三生成仏, “hijō jōbutsu” 非情成仏.

This paper presents an outline of the Gubun yuishiki 具分唯識, found in an unpublished manuscript kept in the Tōdaiji Library.

The Gubun yuishiki was created in 1284 and during that time, Myōe’s 明恵 and Kikai’s 喜海 theories had become the norm within Kegon. The Gubun yuishiki is a valuable source in understanding individual themes that were discussed at that time.