The Thought of Fundamental Cognition and Post-enlightment Cognition in Musō Soseki 夢窓疎石

Abstract

This paper examines the logical stucture of Musō Soseki’s 夢窓疎石 (1275–1351) thought. Musō’s thought centers on the concept of “original endowment 本分,” which means perfect enlightenment being endowed originally in every sentient beings. To match with this original endowment is the aim of Musō’s Zen teachings. In Musō’s view, a practioner should fulfill the fundamental cognition, namely, to realize the fundamental wisdom of original endowment at first, and then he should act out the post-enlightment cognition, using various skillful means to save the unenlightened sentient beings in the secular world. Based on this stucture, Musō expounded his synthetic Zen teachings.