The Theory of Zen and National Protection - Kouzengokokuron

A Buddhist book from the Kamakura period. Three volumes. Written in 1198 (Kenkyu 9) by Eisai, the founder of Japanese Rinzai Zen, who learned the teachings of the Chinese Rinzai sect during two visits to Song China, and who attempted to spread the Rinzai sect throughout Japan. At the time, the influence of old Buddhism, centered on the Tendai sect of Mount Hiei, was still strong, and the newly arrived Zen sect was subject to attacks and exclusion. In response, Eisai argued that the founding of Zen would lead to the protection and prosperity of the nation, and is considered a declaration of the independence of Zen Buddhism in Japan. The original text is in classical Chinese, and consists of ten sections, with all quotations cited to ensure accuracy. The first volume contains a biography of Eisai, the author of which is unknown, and the last volume contains Eisai's own prediction of the future.

[Fujii Noriaki]

"The Thoughts of Medieval Zen Masters, Edited by Ichikawa Hakugen et al., Japanese Thought Series 16 (1972, Iwanami Shoten)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

鎌倉時代の仏教書。3巻。日本臨済禅(りんざいぜん)の開祖栄西(えいさい)が、二度にわたる入宋(にっそう)で中国臨済宗の法を受け、日本に臨済宗を広めようとして1198年（建久9）に著した書物。当時はまだ叡山(えいざん)の天台宗を中心とする旧仏教の影響力が強く、新来の禅宗は排斥攻撃を受けたので、それに対し禅をおこすことが護国繁栄につながると力説したもので、日本における禅宗独立宣言の書とみられる。原文は漢文で、10門よりなり、引用などはすべて典拠を掲げて厳密を期している。巻首には作者不明の栄西の伝記、巻後には栄西自身の未来記を付す。

［藤井教公］

『市川白弦他校注『日本思想大系16　中世禅家の思想』（1972・岩波書店）』

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