This study aims to reveal the influence of Wŏnhyo’s
Kisillon so (
Wŏnhyoso) on Chinese commentaries on the
Awakening of Faith in Mahāyāna (
AFM), which is regarded as important in East Asian Buddhism. Previous studies focused only on the influence
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This study aims to reveal the influence of Wŏnhyo’s
Kisillon so (
Wŏnhyoso) on Chinese commentaries on the
Awakening of Faith in Mahāyāna (
AFM), which is regarded as important in East Asian Buddhism. Previous studies focused only on the influence on Fazang’s
Qixinlun shu (
Fazangshu), but it should be noted that the
Wŏnhyoso also had an effect on the understanding of the
AFM in China. First, by comparing the usage of “shenjie” in the
Fazangshu and in the
Wŏnhyoso, one can identify
Wŏnhyoso’s unique interpretation. The
Wŏnhyoso defines it as “mystical understanding as the nature of One Mind in the aspect of thusness and the nature of the mind of original enlightenment in the aspect of arising and ceasing”, whereas the
Fazangshu defines “shenjie” as “an excellent comprehension”. Next, examining the usage of “shenjie” of the
Wŏnhyoso in the later commentaries on the
AFM after Fazang, such as the
Shilun, the
Zanxuanshu, the
Puguanji, the
Zongmishu, the
Bixueji, the
Shulue, and the
Huiyue, has confirmed the influence of the
Wŏnhyoso in Chinese Buddhism. In addition, the relationships between Chinese commentaries on the
AFM were also clarified based on the commentaries’ acceptance of “shenjie”.
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