On the Interpretation of the Seven Parables of Enchin’s Hokkeron-ki: Focusing on the Comparison with Jizang’s Interpretation

Abstract

The seven parables discussed in the Fahua lun 法華論 (*Saddharmapuṇḍarīkopadeśa) are the first appearance of the seven Lotus Sūtra parables, on which many later seven-parable teachings are based. Enchin’s 円珍 Hokkeron-ki 法華論記 and Jizang’s 吉蔵 Fahua lunshu 法華論疏 are well-known Fahua lun commentaries. This paper compares their interpretations of the seven parables, which have not been considered in existing scholarship.

While they generally adopt a similar position, they sometimes differ in their understanding of the Fahua lun text. While not mentioning Jizang by name, Enchin’ commentary rejects “a certain person’s” view on someone with hubris (through accumulating merit) shedding their delusions through the “Parable of the Jewel in a Topknot”; the view he rejects is the same as that of Jizang. Enchin’s commentary is also notable for understanding the seven kinds of expedient means from a Tendai perspective. From these comparisons, we can see that Enchin, a Tendai scholar–monk, sought to promote Tendai interpretations.