The Interpretation of the Fahua lun 法華論 in Early Japanese Tendai: Focusing on Enchin’s 円珍 Hokkeron-ki 法華論記

Abstract

The Japanese Tendai interpretation of the Fahua lun 法華論 （Saddharmapuṇḍarīkopadeśa） was made by Saichō 最澄 （766/767–822） before Enchin 円珍 （814–891）. However, no quotations from Saichō’s writings can be confirmed in Enchin’s Hokkeron-ki 法華論記. Some previous studies have suggested that Enchin intended to reinforce Saichō’s theory on this point, but there has been no specific examination of this question. This paper examines, from a contemporaneous perspective, whether Enchin’s interpretation of the Hokkeron-ki actually reinforced Saichō’s interpretation. In particular, we deal only with the “category of incorporated subjects” 摂取事門 of the Fahua lun. First, as examples of interpretations prior to Enchin, we examine the interpretations in Zhanran’s 湛然 Fahua wenju ji 法華文句記 （T. 1719） and Zhidu’s 智度 Tiantai fahua shu yizuan 天台法華疏義纉. In particular, some of Zhidu’s interpretations were influenced by those in Kuiji’s 窺基 Fahua xuanzan 法華玄賛（T. 1723）. Next, we made a comparison of Saichō’s and Enchin’s interpretations. Saichō’s interpretation of the Shugo kokkai-sho 守護国界章 was based on the theory of the Fahua wenju ji, but was also unique. We are not able to confirm Enchin’s intention to reinforce Saichō’s theory only in “the category of incorporated subjects” in the Hokkeron-ki.