Diligence - Gonzou

Japanese: 勤操 - ごんぞう

Year of death: Tencho 4.5.8 (827.6.5)
Year of birth: Tenpyo Shoho 6 (754)
A monk in the Nara and early Heian periods. Born in Takaichi District, Yamato Province (around Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture). His secular surname was Hata. He began studying the teachings of Sanron at Daian-ji Temple at the age of 12. He founded the Hakko Sect of the Lotus Sutra at Sekibuchi-ji Temple. In 813 (Kōnin 4), he defeated the Hosso debaters in a debate at the Daigokuden, arguing that Sanron was the sovereign father and Hosso was the vassal son, and contributed to raising the status of Sanron during the heyday of Hosso. Although he belonged to the Nara sect of Buddhism, he also showed understanding for the activities of Saichō and Kukai, and is said to have taught Kukai the practice of mountain asceticism. He was promoted to rishi, shosōzu, and daisozu, and also served as the head priest of Kofuku-ji Temple and Sai-ji Temple. After his death, he became a sōjō. He was called Sekibuchi-sojō. Images of him preaching remain at Daigo-ji Temple and Koyasan Fumon-in Temple. <References> Toshio Fukuyama, Studies on the Temples of the Nara Period

(Hiroyuki Sagimori)

Source: Asahi Japanese Historical Biography: Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc. About Asahi Japanese Historical Biography

Japanese:

没年：天長4.5.8(827.6.5)
生年：天平勝宝6(754)
奈良・平安初期の僧。大和国高市郡(奈良県橿原市周辺)生まれ。俗姓秦氏。12歳から大安寺で三論教学を学ぶ。石淵寺で法華八講を創始する。弘仁4(813)年大極殿での論義で三論を君父,法相を臣子とする論を立てて法相の論者を破り,法相全盛の中,三論の地位向上に貢献した。南都仏教に属するが,最澄,空海の活動にも理解を示し,空海に山林修行の行法を授けたともいう。律師,少僧都,大僧都と昇進し,弘福寺,西寺の別当も勤めた。死後に僧正。石淵僧正と称された。醍醐寺,高野山普門院に説法の様子を描いたという画像が残されている。<参考文献>福山敏男『奈良朝寺院の研究』

(鷺森浩幸)

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