Buddhism on a Countercurrent: A Case Study of the <i>Hamon</i>
In 995, Yuanqing 源淸, a renowned master of the Tiantai school in China, requested the Japanese Buddhist community to critique his work, the <i>Guanjing shu xianyao ji</i> 觀經疏顯要記 (<i>Xianyao ji</i>). In response, Genshin 源信 and Kakuun 覚運, two prominent Japanese Tendai scholars,...
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| description | In 995, Yuanqing 源淸, a renowned master of the Tiantai school in China, requested the Japanese Buddhist community to critique his work, the <i>Guanjing shu xianyao ji</i> 觀經疏顯要記 (<i>Xianyao ji</i>). In response, Genshin 源信 and Kakuun 覚運, two prominent Japanese Tendai scholars, authored the <i>Kan muryōju kyō sho kenyō ki hamon</i> 観無量寿経疏顕要記破文 (<i>Hamon</i>) containing 21 critiques. This paper examines the historical context, content, and influence of the <i>Hamon</i>. The <i>Hamon</i> serves as an important example of Sino-Japanese Buddhist exchange, as it was the Chinese side that first initiated this intellectual engagement with the Japanese monks—and not the other way around. The analysis of the text indicates that the <i>Hamon</i> was not merely a critique but a platform for intellectual exchange. Genshin and Kakuun’s critiques reflect Silla’s Pure Land Buddhism, whereas Yuanqing’s <i>Xianyao ji</i> embodies the Chinese Tiantai commentary tradition on the <i>Guan wuliangshou jing</i> 觀無量壽經. Although not directly recorded in Chinese sources, some records suggest that the <i>Hamon</i> had reached China and potentially influenced Zhili’s 知禮 thought. This study aims to deepen our understanding of Sino-Japanese Buddhist exchanges during the late 10th and 11th centuries, illustrating what may be described as ‘Buddhism on a countercurrent.’ |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-57ee97dd5c9c4403aeaecad0a221c47d2025-08-20T02:21:53ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-05-0116668310.3390/rel16060683Buddhism on a Countercurrent: A Case Study of the <i>Hamon</i>Donggyu Song0Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, JapanIn 995, Yuanqing 源淸, a renowned master of the Tiantai school in China, requested the Japanese Buddhist community to critique his work, the <i>Guanjing shu xianyao ji</i> 觀經疏顯要記 (<i>Xianyao ji</i>). In response, Genshin 源信 and Kakuun 覚運, two prominent Japanese Tendai scholars, authored the <i>Kan muryōju kyō sho kenyō ki hamon</i> 観無量寿経疏顕要記破文 (<i>Hamon</i>) containing 21 critiques. This paper examines the historical context, content, and influence of the <i>Hamon</i>. The <i>Hamon</i> serves as an important example of Sino-Japanese Buddhist exchange, as it was the Chinese side that first initiated this intellectual engagement with the Japanese monks—and not the other way around. The analysis of the text indicates that the <i>Hamon</i> was not merely a critique but a platform for intellectual exchange. Genshin and Kakuun’s critiques reflect Silla’s Pure Land Buddhism, whereas Yuanqing’s <i>Xianyao ji</i> embodies the Chinese Tiantai commentary tradition on the <i>Guan wuliangshou jing</i> 觀無量壽經. Although not directly recorded in Chinese sources, some records suggest that the <i>Hamon</i> had reached China and potentially influenced Zhili’s 知禮 thought. This study aims to deepen our understanding of Sino-Japanese Buddhist exchanges during the late 10th and 11th centuries, illustrating what may be described as ‘Buddhism on a countercurrent.’https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/6/683Sino-Japanese Buddhist exchangethe <i>Kan muryōju kyō sho kenyō ki hamon</i> 観無量寿経疏顕要記破文Genshin 源信Kakuun 覚運Yuanqing 源淸Tiantai Buddhism |
| spellingShingle | Donggyu Song Buddhism on a Countercurrent: A Case Study of the <i>Hamon</i> Religions Sino-Japanese Buddhist exchange the <i>Kan muryōju kyō sho kenyō ki hamon</i> 観無量寿経疏顕要記破文 Genshin 源信 Kakuun 覚運 Yuanqing 源淸 Tiantai Buddhism |
| title | Buddhism on a Countercurrent: A Case Study of the <i>Hamon</i> |
| title_full | Buddhism on a Countercurrent: A Case Study of the <i>Hamon</i> |
| title_fullStr | Buddhism on a Countercurrent: A Case Study of the <i>Hamon</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Buddhism on a Countercurrent: A Case Study of the <i>Hamon</i> |
| title_short | Buddhism on a Countercurrent: A Case Study of the <i>Hamon</i> |
| title_sort | buddhism on a countercurrent a case study of the i hamon i |
| topic | Sino-Japanese Buddhist exchange the <i>Kan muryōju kyō sho kenyō ki hamon</i> 観無量寿経疏顕要記破文 Genshin 源信 Kakuun 覚運 Yuanqing 源淸 Tiantai Buddhism |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/6/683 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT donggyusong buddhismonacountercurrentacasestudyoftheihamoni |