This paper explores how the interpretations of the 2nd ground (二地) in the theory of Shoji-Sokugoku (初地即極説) are inherited and developed in Shingon Esoteric Buddhism.
At first, it is noteworthy that Jitsuun (実運) applied the Shingon view of the path structure, that is the theory of shoji-sokugoku, to his interpretation of the Yuqi jing’s (瑜祇経) 7th and 8th chapters. This is the first point of the idea; that the 1st ground (初地) is to achieve self enlightenment, and the 2nd ground (二地) is to provide benefits for sentient beings.
Jitsugen (実賢) and Dōhan (道範) inherited this idea in their commentaries on the Yuqi jing, but Dōhan changed several points in his works written in his later life .
In spite of Raiyu (頼瑜) often quoting Jitsuun’s and Dōhan’s words, he dared to avoid using the theory of Shoji-Sokugoku in his commentaries of the Yuqi jing.
Jōhen (静遍), a teacher of Dōhan, and Shōken (聖憲), a follower of Raiyu, had the common idea that only the 1st ground exists because if one reaches the 1st ground, one can atain the all wisdoms and charities of the 2nd ground and beyond.
