The Commands of Hōnen and the Authority of Tathāgatas: Focusing on the Kyōgyōshinshō

Abstract

This paper considers why Shinran reveres Hōnen as his master. Shinranʼs Kyōgyōshinshō 教行信証 refers to Hōnen in the second and final chapters, but does not explain why Honenʼs statements are heard as commands for Shinran, only indicating his profound respect for Hōnen. On the other hand, chapter 1 of the Kyōgyōshinshō cites some texts that describe the reason a World-honored One has the authority （i 威） of a tathāgata. These passages reveal that the reason why tathāgatas appear in the world and have authority is because they have the will to save all sentient beings. For Shinran, when he looks up to Hōnen as a master with the authority to make commands, he sees that his master has this same will. However, in the sūtras cited by Shinran, a disciple does not recognize this will by himself, but ask about the reason for the authoritative face, and then the will is taught as its background. When a disciple sees someone as a master, at first it is based on intuition. Yet through dialogue about that intuition, one can know that the will of tathāgatas is necessary for one to be a master.