Nichiren and Narratives: Comparison with the Fahua zhuanji Written by Monk-Xiang

Abstract

This paper discusses Nichiren’s (1222–1282) faith of the Lotus Sūtra by focusing on his quotations of narratives. In his Hōrenshō 法蓮鈔,Nichiren quoted the story of Wulong 烏龍 and Weilong 遺龍,which is found included in the Tang dynasty Fahua zhuanji 法華伝記 (compiled by a monk whose name may have been, or ended in, Xiang 祥/詳). However Nichiren made many additions and revisions. In the Nichiren version, the additions are mainly based on the Lotus Sūtra, and faith in this text is emphasized. In addition, Nichiren considerably revised the episode of the Sixty-four Buddhas (六十四仏) who appeared from the title of the scripture (題目), and this addition seems to be related to his theory about the Principal object of worship (honzan 本尊) that emphasizes both “personal Buddha” and “impersonal Dharma” (人・法).