Shōkō’s Interpretation of Shōdō-Jōdo (the Way of Sages and the Pure Land Way) and the Buddhism of His Time

Abstract

Shōkō 聖光 (1162–1238) was one of Hōnen’s 法然 disciples. His thought conveys both Hōnen’s thought as it is and what is unique to him. So far, it is considered that his thought was established through his studies of Hōnen’s thought and as a response to criticism from other Buddhists. But it can also be considered that it was established as he tried to convey Hōnen’s thought to Buddhists of his time. In his interpretation of Shōdō-Jōdo 聖道浄土, we find such Tendai 天台 ideas as Goji 五時, Shikyō 四教, and Zhiyi’s 智顗 works. But he still claims that Shōdō and Jōdo stand in completely different positions, and that those who practice in the Shōdō gate should also rely on the Jōdo gate. Shōkō’s unique thought was established to try to teach Hōnen’s thought to Tendai Buddhists of his time.