Hoshinshu - Collection of Sutras

A collection of Buddhist tales from the early Kamakura period. Eight volumes. Written by Kamo no Chomei. Probably completed around 1215 (Kenpo 3). Stories about purely religious figures, such as Genpin Sozu, who suddenly disappeared and took up the guise of a ferryman because he didn't want to be known as a high-ranking or famous monk, and Soga Shonin, who behaved strangely and deliberately spread rumors that he was a "madman." Stories also show the horror of things like lingering attachments and attachments, such as a monk who was said to have died by drowning, but failed to go to heaven because he had regrets about this world just before he jumped into the water. In addition, there are over 100 stories, mainly about people who cleared their minds through waka poetry and music and forgot about the secular world. Each story is accompanied by a relatively long comment by Kamo no Chomei, and one can sense the author's strong intention to peer into the easily confused and disturbed human mind, and to seek even a little peace of mind. Some of the stories included in the collection were apparently added by people other than Chomei, but they have had a major influence on subsequent collections of Buddhist tales, such as "Kankyo no Tomo" (completed in 1222) and "Senjusho" (completed perhaps by around 1287). There is also a five-volume version with a strong preaching flavor.

[Kazuhiko Asami]

"Housshinshu" translated and annotated by Kazuo Yanase (Kadokawa Bunko)" ▽ "Shincho Japanese Classics Collection: Hojoki and Hosshinshu" annotated by Norito Miki (1976, Shinchosha)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

鎌倉初期の仏教説話集。8巻。鴨長明(かものちょうめい)作。1215年（建保3）ごろ成立か。高僧や名僧という評判がたつのを嫌って、突如失踪(しっそう)、渡し守に身をやつしていた玄賓僧都(げんぴんそうず)、奇行に及び、「狂人」との噂(うわさ)を意識的に広めた僧賀上人(そうがしょうにん)など、純粋な宗教家たちの話。あるいはその逆に入水(じゅすい)往生すると触れ回るものの、投身の直前、現世への未練をおこしたため、往生に失敗した僧など、未練、執着といったものの怖(おそ)ろしさを述べる話。さらには、和歌や音楽に心を澄まし、俗世を忘れた人々の話などを中心に約100余の話を載せる。各話には比較的長い鴨長明の感想が付け加えられており、惑いやすい人間の心、乱れやすい人間の心を凝視し、すこしでも心の平安を求めようとする作者の強い意図が感じられる。収載説話のなかには長明以外の後人の増補もあるらしいが、後続の『閑居友(かんきょのとも)』（1222成立）、『撰集抄(せんじゅうしょう)』（1287ころまでに成立か）などの仏教説話集に大きな影響を与えている。異本として説教色の濃い5巻本も存在する。

［浅見和彦］

『簗瀬一雄訳注『発心集』（角川文庫）』▽『三木紀人校注『新潮日本古典集成　方丈記・発心集』（1976・新潮社）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例