Myōe and Avalokiteśvara

Abstract

In this paper I examine the Buddhist monk Myōe, who re-established Kōsanji from his dreams and his comments on Avalokiteśvara. His dreams of Avalokiteśvara are based on the mandalas of Avataṃsaka Sūtra in which he was deeply and creatively involved. He also dreamt of Mount Potalaka where Avalokiteśvara lives, and held Buddhist ceremonies at places similar to Mount Putuo. He worshiped Shanmiao as the guardian deity of the Kegon school and regarded her in the same light as Avalokiteśvara. Althogh Myōe realy referred to Avalokiteśvara, my conclusion is that his unique activities as a monk are besed on Avalokiteśvara.