Myōe’s Receptiveness of Song Dynasty Buddhism

Abstract

In this paper, in order to clarify the influence from Song Dynasty Buddhism on Myōe (1173–1232), I investigate the Various Collected Notes on the Chapter of the Five Teachings which was compiled by the Kōsanji-temple monk Junkō. This text gives the interpretations of Myōe and his disciples on The Chapter of the Five Teachings. In particular, the use of the Southern Song Dynasty print of the Huayan Chapter of the Five Teachings as well as commentaries that were compiled during the Song Dynasty is a distinguishing characteristic. Through an examination of this text, it is clear that the commentaries of Song Dynasty Buddhism that were brought to Kōsanji-temple gave a definitive influence to Myōe and his disciples.