Girinbō Kikai’s 義林房喜海 Interpretation of the Attainment of Buddhahood: The Sanshō Jōdō Ryōken 三生成道料簡 Text of the Kosan-ji 高山寺
2020 Volume 68 Issue 2 Pages 693-699
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2020 Volume 68 Issue 2 Pages 693-699
Myōe’s (明恵, 1173–1232) disciple Kikai (喜海, 1178–1251) was his successor in Huayan studies at the Kozan-ji 高山寺. Although seven of his works are extant, none are concerned with the Huayan doctrine. Therefore, there has been little research concerning his Huayan understanding.
The Sanshō Jōdō Ryōken 三生成道料簡 kept at the Kozan-ji is Kikai’s interpretation on the attainment of Buddhahood in three births that is explained in Fazang’s (643–712) Huayan Doctrine of the Five Teachings 華厳五教章. Until recently there has been no research on this subject, although this text is a document of great importance.
The theory of attaining Buddhahood in three births is unique to the Huayan school of Buddhism, and within ancient Japan it was a subject of much debate. From such debates many interpretations developed, yet Kikai’s interpretation has yet to be examined. This paper aims to clarify the uniqueness of Kikai’s interpretation by comparing his text with articles of debate from the Todai-ji 東大寺.
