The Background and Development of Interpretations among Hōnen’s Disciples of the Concept of Birth “Enclosed in a Lotus Bud” （<i>kegō</i>華合） Discussed in the Section of Nine Grades of Birth in the <i>Sūtra of Contemplation on the Buddha of Immeasurable Life</i>

Abstract

Hōnen （1133-1212） interprets Amida’s Pure Land presented in the Section of Nine Grades of Birth in the Sūtra of Contemplation on the Buddha of Immeasurable Life as a reward land （hōdo報土）. Based on this understanding of the Pure Land, he recommends nembutsu practitioners aspire to be born in the upper grade, upper birth （jōbon jōshō上品上生）, as birth “enclosed in a lotus bud” is not discussed in this section of the sūtra, and practitioners can instantaneously fulfill their wish to save all living beings upon their birth. For Hōnen the “border land” （henji辺地） and “womb birth” （taishō胎生） discussed in the Larger Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra are outside of the Pure Land （reward land） as presented in the Contemplation Sūtra. He also seems to intentionally ignore Shandao’s interpretation of birth “enclosed in a lotus bud” found in the latter’s commentary on grades of birth in the Contemplation Sūtra, in which Shandao understands that the border land and womb birth are part of Amida’s Pure Land.