Kokan Shiren’s 虎関師錬 Teachings on Zen Precepts 禅戒

Abstract

This paper examines the teachings of Kokan Shiren 虎関師錬 （1278-1346） on “Zen Precepts” 禅戒, a term with multiple meanings. In his theory of practice, Shiren has positioned the precepts as the foundation for attaining enlightenment. Furthermore, for Shiren, “Zen Precepts” means the “Precepts in Zen Buddhism.” Specifically, it refers to the Fanwang precepts 梵網戒, i.e., the ten major precepts and forty-eight minor precepts. Shiren defined the Fanwang jing 梵網経 as the “vinaya piṭaka” in Zen Buddhism and was adamant that the Fanwang jing transmitted from master to disciple within the Zen sect differed from that used in other sects. It should also be pointed out that Shiren was consistent in his emphasis on the Fanwang precepts and discouraged views which stated that the Fanwang precepts （i.e., the “Zen Precepts”） were inferior to the esoteric samaya （Jpn. sanmaya 三昧耶） precepts.