On the Tendency of Tendai Doctrinal Debates Regarding Sentō Saishō-kō 仙洞最勝講

Abstract

Regarding the Sentō Saishō-kō 仙洞最勝講, when examining debates in which monks of the Tendai sect served as lecturer, we find four facts. First, as a whole, it is of the same substance as those of the Hosshōji-Mihakkō 法勝寺御八講 and Saishō-kō 最勝講. Second, there was what could be called a shared situation between the sects of north and south, mainly on topics related to Abhidharma. Third, through the practice of debates, the monk Sōshō 宗性 （1202-1278） used Tendai texts to understand Abhidharma. Fourth, there was an example in which the same subject as Sentō Saishō-kō was used even in the internal debates of the Tendai sect.