Sogo - Sogo

A general term for the priests who were established to maintain the order of monks and nuns and supervise the various temples. Originating in China, titles such as Soto and Soroku were used for the positions. In Japan, wise and virtuous people recommended by the various temples in the capital were appointed to the Kojo, where they carried out administrative duties, and three ranks were used: Sojo, Sozu, and Risshi, which were further divided into Dai, Sho, Sei, and Gon. The "Konin Kaku" also stipulated that the numbers would be one each of Sojo and Daisozu, two Shosozu, and four Risshi, but the numbers gradually increased later, and in 864 (Jogan 6), the equivalent priest ranks of Hoin Daishonin (Hoin Daikashoi) for Sojo, Hogen Oshoi (Hogen) for Sozu, and Hokyo Shonin (Hokyo Shonin) for Risshi were established, spurring an increase in the numbers, and by 1086 (Otoku 3), the numbers had increased dramatically to 27, and the numbers had become meaningless. Nowadays, the numbers are used to indicate the ranks of monks in each sect.

[Mizumaro Ishida]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

僧尼の綱維を保ち、諸寺を監督するために設けられた僧官の総称。中国に始まり、職位には僧統、僧録などの称を用いた。日本では、京師の諸寺より推挙された智徳(ちとく)兼備の人物が任命され、綱所(こうじょ)にあって事務を行い、僧正(そうじょう)、僧都(そうず)、律師(りっし)の三階の称が用いられ、これをさらに大・少・正・権などに分けた。人数も『弘仁格(こうにんきゃく)』には僧正・大僧都各1人、少僧都2人、律師4人と定められたが、のちに漸次増員し、864年（貞観6）にはこれらに相当する僧位として、僧正に法印大和尚位(ほういんだいかしょうい)、僧都に法眼(ほうげん)和尚位、律師に法橋上人位(ほうきょうしょうにんい)が設けられたこともあって、人数の増加に拍車をかけ、1086年（応徳3）には27人と激増し、有名無実となった。現在では各宗で僧の位階を示すのに用いる。

［石田瑞麿］

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