Myōe’s Views on the Path of Practice

Abstract

Myōe (明恵, 1173–1232) wrote his Konjishishō-kokenshō 金師子章光顕鈔 (hereafter Kokenshō) in Shogen 4 (1210), based on his interpretation of Fazang’s (法蔵, 643–712) Huayan-jinshizi zhang 華厳金師子章. In the Kokenshō, Myōe criticizes “a certain man” for “his” remark about the Cessation of Defilements and Enlightenment: “When one accomplishes both the Cessation of Defilements and Enlightenment, the others can also do that.” In a previous study on Myōe, however, Shimaji Daitō 島地大等 states that Myōe’s commentary on the Cessation of Defilements is consistent with “his.” Therefore, I consider Myōe’s views on the Practice of the Path with a focus on his interpretation of the Cessation of Defilements and Enlightenment in the Kokenshō.