This paper examines Dōgen’s intentions behind writing the Shōbōgenzō in Chinese (真字正法眼蔵). It has been demonstrated that the Shōbōgenzō in Chinese has script-like characteristics that resemble the Shōbōgenzō in kana (仮字正法眼蔵), and other writings by Dōgen. The issue here is other characteristics of the document beyond this similarity, which have been explained by the theory that the Shōbōgenzō in Chinese was a manual for study for Dōgen’s followers. There are multiple theories on his practical objectives in writing the document, from its use to study the basics of Zen Buddhism to its use to share the same teachings as those of the Shōbōgenzō in kana. This paper examines the theory proposed by Taiyō Bonsei 太容梵清 (1378–1439?) that the Shōbōgenzō in Chinese was used for shin’eki 請益 (response to requests for clarification).
Dōgen’s writings provide evidence that he performed shin’eki. Additionally, it was found that he might have used the Shōbōgenzō in Chinese for the same purpose. This would mean that the document was not complete in itself but completed through its use in shin’eki and other lectures and instructions. Furthermore, creating a script for conducting shin’eki during later periods in this way can be considered one of his intentions when writing the Shōbōgenzō in Chinese. Therefore, the document has the characteristics of a script in every sense of the word.
Finally, with regard to the influences of Dōgen’s shin’eki on later periods, this paper addresses the possibilities that it provided a reason for Keizan Jōkin 瑩山紹瑾 (1264–1325) to discuss shin’eki in his Denkōroku 伝光録,and that it was the precursor to the Daigo 代語-style expressive forms in the Sōtō Zen school.
