Jōkei

Abstract

Jōkei 貞慶 (1155–1213), posthumously known as GEDATSU Shōnin 解脱上人, was a prominent scholar-monk of the Hossō 法相 school who lived during Japan’s momentous transition to a medieval society. Hossō (C. Faxiang) 法相 is the East Asian transmission of the Indian Yogācāra system of thought. Jōkei is perhaps best known for his critique of Hōnen’s 法然 (1133–1212) exclusive nenbutsu teachings, memorialized in a petition to the Court in 1205 C.E. to censure Hōnen and his followers. He is also noteworthy for promoting devotion to an eclectic array of divine beings ranging from various Buddhas and bodhisattvas to popular kami. This essay will focus on Jōkei’s doctrinal reform efforts for which he has only recently been recognized.