Shuei was the guard priest of the Emperor Seiwa. He was appointed Bettō (administrator) of Tōdai-ji Temple and chōja (head priest) of Tō-ji Temple. In addition, he was an important person known as the second head of the Zenrin-ji Temple. However, he does not hold a firm position in the research of esoteric Buddhism. For that reason, in researching the esoteric Buddhism of Zenrin-ji Temple, an examination of the influence of the documents brought to Zenrin-ji Temple during its early period by Shuei is of great importance.
From this point of view, I focus on the “Rishu-kyō-Juhatte-Maṇḍala” brought by Shuei, and search for its influence within the “Rishu-Kyō-Hiyōshō” which was explained by Gōhō and recorded by Kenpō. Further, by that examination I point out that the existing works of Daigo-ji Temple, Entsu-ji Temple and the Iwasaki Library correspond to the iconography of the Maṇḍala.
The authors Gōhō and Kenpō of the work “Rishu-Kyō-Hiyōshō,” were representative figures of the Tō-ji Temple during the middle ages, and through this examination it is relevant that Shuei’s Maṇḍala was highly influential. Also, through comparison to later Maṇḍalas it is clear that the iconography is based on Shuei’s Maṇḍala, thus further proving his influence.
From this, it is concluded that the influence of Shuei should be reevaluated, and that research could spread to documents that he brought.
