Enchin (円珍, Enchin?)
(814 – 891) was the founder of the Jimon School of Tendai Buddhism, and
Chief Abbot of Miidera at the foot of Mount Hiei. After
succeeding to the post of Tendai Zasu, or Chief Tendai Abbot, in 873, a strong rivalry developed between his followers and those
of Ennin's at the Enryakuji; (note: Ennin had died in
864).
The rivalry was largely geographical, and was not based much on sectarian differences over interpretations of practice or
doctrine; nevertheless, the friction between the followers of the two zasu finally broke out into a violent conflict.
Rivalres between the followers of different zasu was not anything new at that time. During his twelve years on Hiei,
Enchin himself had seen a conflict between direct diciples of Saichō (namely Enchō and
Kosho) and the disciples of his own master, the second Tendai zasu
Gishin. After the death of Gishin his main follower Enshu was
elected to be the third zasu but Enchō and Kosho objected and finally forced Enshu with his followers to leave Mount
Hiei.
Most significantly, Enchin united the Tendai school's teachings with those of Esoteric
Buddhism, and interpreted the Lotus Sutra from the point of view of the
Esoteric teachings as well as used Tendai terminology in order to explain the esoteric Vairocana
Sutra.
Enchin is said to have supported the worship of native gods, and certain elements of Confucianism. In a memorial speech in 887, he is said to have discussed the respect T'ang China had for Japan because of Japan's encouragement and welcoming of the ideals of Li
(Propriety) and Yi (Righteousness). He warned that though Enryakuji was founded with the native gods (kami) in mind, neither Enryakuji nor Miidera were at the time worshipping the gods of Mount Hiei, and that this
was a dangerous violation of Confucian principles.
References
- Sansom, George (1958). A History of Japan to 1334, Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
