Dоgen and Bodhisattva Kannon Cult in Kamakura Japan

Abstract

The veneration of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in Japan can be discussed from the point of view of its canonical sources, its real existence and its interpretation in the writings of Japanese thinkers. The relationship between these three aspects can be seen by the example of a bodhisattva, especially revered throughout the Buddhist world: Attentive to Sounds (Japanese Kannon, Skt. Avalokiteshvara). The canonical sources for honoring Kannon as the merciful rescuer of all the suffering in Japan are the "Lotus Sutra" (chapter XXV), several "secret" ritualistic guides, the sutras about the Pure Land of the Buddha Amida, as well as the "Sutra Heart of Prajna Paramita" and a number of sutras, Which set forth the teaching of Mahayana as a whole. The traditions of the Khase temple, Kiyomizu temple and many others dedicated to Kannon, the miracles of this bod-hisattva, revealed in Japan, are discussed in texts of different genres, including the temple legends of Engi and the instructive stories of setsuva. As for the school level, the texts of the 13th century are especially interesting to me, when several new traditions arise in Japan, including the radical amidism of Sinran, the contemplation (Zen) of Dogen and the exclusive veneration of Nitiran's Lotus Sutra. Each of these thinkers describes his way of honoring Kannon and, at the same time, in part disputes with the preceding traditions, and in part continues them. Dogen discusses the Bodhisattva Kannon in the treatise "Attentive to the Sounds" in 1242. He analyzes the dialogue of two mentors of the Chinese tradition of "contemplation" of the 9th century. And shows how the image of the merciful "thousand-eyed and thousand-eyed" intercessor can play a role in Zen teaching, while Zen asceticism is possible only as an independent, there is no support from outside. Relating the discussion of Kannon to the theme of verbal expression of truth (inevitably inadequate), Dogen connects the doctrine of Kannon as a bodhisattva of mercy with those of Mahayana, where Kannon appears as a conditional "contemplator", the bearer of true knowledge gained in experience. The article precedes the translation of the treatise "Attentive to Sounds".