The Jogyō-kyō, Also Known as the Reversed Lotus Sūtra: Focusing on Godaiin-Annen’s Writings

Abstract

This study examines the Jogyō-kyō 浄行経, which is cited in Annenn’s （841–915?） Futsuju Bosatsukai Kōshaku, 普通授菩薩戒広釈 （T. 2381）, and which contains several episodes of Śākyamuni Buddha’s previous lives that share some similarities with the Lotus Sūtra, but has different chronological sequences. Through comparison and contrast with the Shingonshū Kyōjigi 真言宗教時義 （T. 2396）, we can determine that the Jogyō-kyō is also known as the Youposai jiejing 優婆塞戒経, and it can be assumed that this corresponds to the fragmentary apocryphon Jingxing youposai jing 浄行優婆塞経 compiled by Xiao Ziliang 蕭子良 （460–494）. Furthermore, various uncertainties have been pointed out by Genshin 源信 （942–1017）, Jōkei 貞慶 （1155–1213）, and others regarding the chronology of the past life episodes in the Lotus Sūtra, and it is likely that the Jogyō-kyō was established and accepted as the forerunner of such controversies.