Monk rank - Soi

The meaning of the rank of a monk. It was a system unique to Japan, where monks were given ranks according to their wisdom and learning. In 760 (Tenpyo Hoji 4), the four ranks and thirteen ranks of monks were first established at the request of Daisozu Roben, Shosozu Jikun, and Risshi Hoshin. During the reign of Emperor Kōnin (reigned 770-781), the position of Sogō was assigned to an official rank, and the Sojō was placed in the Junior Fourth Rank, the Sozu in the Senior Fifth Rank, and the Risshi in the Junior Fifth Rank. Furthermore, during the reign of Emperor Kanmu (reigned 781-806), six ranks were established: Mui (no rank), Nyui (entered rank), Jui (residence rank), Mani (full rank), Houshi (priest rank), and Daihoushi (great priest rank), which were gradually allocated from the eighth rank of official ranks to the third rank. In 864 (Jogan 6), three ranks were established: Hokyo Shonin rank, Hogen Osho rank, and Hoin Daiosho rank, with Hoin Daiosho rank placed under the Sojo rank, Hogen Osho rank under the Sozu rank, and Hokyo Shonin rank under the Ritsushi rank. In the Edo period, monk ranks were limited to the Tendai and Shingon sects, and the regulations for investiture petitions differed for each sect. In 1873 (Meiji 6), the system of ranks for monks was abolished by a Dajokan proclamation. After that, the abbot system was established, and each sect created titles such as sojo and sozu, and the rank of monks was determined by their rank.

[Yoshiaki Mochizuki]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

僧の位階の意。日本特有の制度であって、僧の智徳(ちとく)や学識に応じて位が与えられた。760年（天平宝字4）大僧都(だいそうず)良弁(ろうべん)、小僧都慈訓(じくん)、律師(りっし)法進(ほうしん)らの奏請によって初めて四位十三階の僧位が定められた。光仁(こうにん)天皇（在位770～781）のとき、僧綱(そうごう)職を官位にあて、僧正(そうじょう)を従(じゅ)四位、僧都を正五位、律師を従五位に配した。さらに桓武(かんむ)天皇（在位781～806）のとき、無位(むい)、入位(にゅうい)、住位(じゅうい)、満位(まんい)、法師位(ほうしい)、大法師位(だいほうしい)の六位が定められ、官位の八位からしだいに三位までに配した。864年（貞観6）には、法橋上人(ほうきょうしょうにん)位、法眼和尚(ほうげんおしょう)位、法印(ほういん)大和尚位の三階が設けられ、法印大和尚位を僧正階に、法眼和尚位を僧都階に、法橋上人位を律師階に配した。江戸時代になると、僧位は天台・真言(しんごん)宗などに限られ、叙任(じょにん)奏請の規定もそれぞれに異なった。1873年（明治6）太政官布達(だじょうかんふたつ)により僧位の制は廃止され、その後は管長制度が設けられ、各宗派により僧正・僧都などの称号を設け、その高下によって僧の座の次第が定められるようになった。

［望月良晃］

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