Shōkū’s fundamental understanding about Nāgārjuna and the Discourse on the Ten Stages is based on the instruction of the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra and the Commentary on the Treatise on the Pure Land. He explains that Nāgārjuna aspired to be born into the Pure Land, and the instruction of ‘difficult practice’ and ‘easy practice’ in the Discourse is related with the way for birth into the Pure Land. This follows the traditional understanding of the history of the Pure Land way.
In the Discourse on the Preface of the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra, Shōkū interprets Buddhism as ‘various practices by one’s own power’ and ‘contemplation by other power.’ As one of the arguments of this interpretation, he quotes the instruction of ‘difficult practice’ and ‘easy practice’ in the Discourse on the Ten Stages. However, according to the context around this interpretation, this quotation is not consistent with the original meaning of the Discourse, but rather is based on the understanding of ‘difficult practice’ and ‘easy practice’ found in the Commentary on the Treatise on the Pure Land.
Hōnen and other disciples of his did not merely follow the traditionally accepted understanding, and conducted various researches into this question. However, Shōkū follows this understanding with no question, and provides a unique interpretation of his own on the Discourse.
