Kegon Doctrine during the Nanbokuchō 南北朝 Period in the Muchūgi 夢中戯 of Jōyo 盛誉

Abstract

This paper reveals the actual conditions of Kegon studies in the Kaidan’in 戒壇院 sub-temple of the Tōdaiji 東大寺 temple during the Nanbokuchō 南北朝 period, which have been hardly discussed, through examining newly discovered manuscripts.

Myōchibō Jōyo 明智房盛誉 （1273-1362）, who belonged to the Kaidan’in sub-temple, was one of the most influential monks of the Tōdaiji during the Nanbokuchō period. The Muchūgi 夢中戯 written by him is a record of doctrinal debate （dangi 談義） held in the Kaidanin. The library of the Tōdaiji currently possesses twenty-three manuscripts of this Muchūgi. While Jōyo follows the interpretations of the Kegon doctrine by Kegon monks of the Kamakura 鎌倉 period such as Sōshō宗性 （1202-1278） and Gyōnen 凝然 （1240-1321）, he also offers his unique view.

In this paper, I investigate a doctrinal question in the Muchūgi: “is the realm of enlightenment put into words?” （kabun setsuhi 果分説否）. Through my investigation, I attempt to reveal that Kegon monks during the Nanbokuchō period developed new interpretations while remaining deeply influenced by the doctrines of Chengguan 澄観 （738-839） and Shingon Buddhism, which explain that the realm of enlightenment can be put into words.