Gosho 諸宗問答抄 Questions and Answers on Various Buddhist Sects

諸宗問答抄

Questions and Answers on Various Buddhist Schools

Questions and Answers on Various Buddhist Sects

建長七年　三十四歳御作

1255 （Age: 34)

教相(きょうそう)には三種の教相を立て候、爾(に)前(ぜん)法華を釈して勝劣(しょうれつ)を判ぜられ候。

T’ien-t’ai posits three standards of comparison by which one may determine the relative superiority of the Lotus Sutra and the sutras preached before it.

In order to judge teachings three standards of doctrinal aspects should be considered. By comparing the pre-Lotus Sutra teachings with the Lotus Sutra, the superiority or inferiority of the two is determined.

先(ま)づ三種の教相と申すは何(いずれ)にて候ぞやと之を尋(たず)ぬ可し、

What then are these three standards of comparison?

One first should ask what the three standards of doctrinal aspects are.

若(けだ)し三種の教相と申すは一には根性(こんじょう)の融(ゆう)不(ふ)融(ゆう)の相・

First of the three is that which inquires whether or not people of all capacities can attain Buddhahood through a particular sutra.

The first aspect is whether or not the people’s capacity to understand the Lotus Sutra is demonstrated.

二には化(け)導(どう)の始(し)終(じゅう)不始終の相・

Second is that which inquires whether or not the process of teaching, that is, the process of planting the seed of Buddhahood in people’s lives and finally harvesting its fruit by leading them to Buddhahood, is revealed in full.

The second aspect is whether or not all phases of the Buddha’s teaching from beginning to end [sowing, maturing and harvesting] are clarified.

三には師弟の遠近(おんごん)不遠近の相なり

Third is that which inquires whether the original relationship between teacher and discipleis revealed.

The third aspect is whether or not the relationship between the master and disciples since the inconceivably remote past is revealed.


　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　つづく To be continued
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