Hakuin Ekaku and the Zongjing lu

Abstract

This paper compares the teachings of Hakuin Ekaku (1686–1769) with Yongming Yanshou’s (904–976) thoughts on “practice after enlightenment” in the Zongjing lu, with a focus on the following two points.

(1) Although many Buddhist texts such as the Zongjing lu discuss “practice after enlightenment,” Hakuin received the secret method of “practice after enlightenment” from the god Kasuga by means of the Shasekishū (Collection of Sand and Pebbles).

(2) Although Hakuin had read the Zongjing lu, he did not stress its importance. I consider this to be one of the main reasons why the Zongjing lu faded from the consciousness of modern day Japan.