Saisho-e

A seven-day ceremony held from March 7th to 13th to welcome imperial envoys, preach on the national sutra "Konkomyo Saisho-o-kyo" (The Golden Light Sutra of the Supreme King), and pray for the prosperity of the nation and the safety of the Imperial Family. The Saisho-e ceremony held at the Imperial Palace from January 8th to 14th is called the Gosaie, and began in 768 (Jingo Keiun 2), and in 802 (Enryaku 21) the six sects were invited to the Saisho-e and Yuimae. The Saisho-e ceremony currently held in March began in 830 (Tencho 7) at Yakushi-ji Temple in Nara. Along with the Kofuku-ji Yuimae and the Imperial Palace Gosaie, it is known as the Nanjing San-e, and was a lavish ceremony in which the lecturer who completed the three assemblies was appointed as Sogo. In 1082 (Eiho 2), he also held the Saisho-e at Ensoji Temple in Kyoto, which, together with the Hokke-e at Ensoji Temple and the Daijo-e at Hosho-ji Temple, became known as the Beijing San-e, which were held every other year at Enryaku-ji Temple and Onjo-ji Temple. At the Beijing San-e, he was first appointed as the Socho, and then served as a lecturer for the San-e.

[Fukiko Nishiyama May 19, 2017]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

3月7日～13日の7日間、勅使(ちょくし)を迎え、護国の経典『金光明最勝王経(こんこうみょうさいしょうおうきょう)』を講じ、国家の繁栄と皇室の安泰を祈る法会(ほうえ)。宮中で正月8日～14日に行われた最勝会は御斎会(ごさいえ)といわれ、768年（神護景雲2）に始まり、802年（延暦21）最勝会と維摩会(ゆいまえ)に六宗を請(しょう)じた。現在3月に行われる最勝会は830年（天長7）奈良薬師寺で始修。それは、興福寺維摩会、宮中御斎会とともに南京三会(なんきょうさんえ)と称され、三会を成し遂げた講師は僧綱(そうごう)に任ぜられる盛儀であった。1082年（永保2）京都円宗寺でも最勝会を催し、同寺の法華会(ほっけえ)、法勝寺(ほっしょうじ)の大乗会(だいじょうえ)とともに北京(ほっきょう)三会と称され、延暦寺(えんりゃくじ)と園城寺(おんじょうじ)で隔年に営まれた。北京三会ではまず僧綱に任じてから、三会の講師を勤めた。

［西山蕗子　2017年5月19日］

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