When I was young, one of the sources I used when learning konrei-yomi (negoro-yomi) from my teacher was the Himitsu sanbu-kyō denshu kuketsu [Secret Oral Transmission of the Three Sutras]. The “three sutras” in question were the Dainichi-kyō (“Great Illuminator Sūtra”; Skt. Mahāvairocana Sūtra), the Kongō chōkyō (“Adamantine Pinnacle Sūtra”; Skt. Vajraśekhara Sūtra), and the Soshitsuji-kyō (“Excellent Accomplishment Sūtra”; Susiddhi Sūtra). As indicated at the end of the “Three Sutras” text:
Herein, when giving instruction in the differences arising, such as in the readings of chants in the Daizan and Konrei traditions, you should use Daigo as a guide.
With regard to selecting the genuine guiding marks (kunten) for the characters, you should use the preparations set out in the master’s instructions.
In this work, I clearly show the difference between Daigo readings and Konrei readings. Also, I recall that observing Daigo readings in addition to Konrei readings when giving instruction was conveyed to me as being “standard practice.”
In this paper, I have annotated the Himitsu sanbu-kyō denshu kuketsu using Japanese word order (yomikudashi-bun) and have tried to keep the four voices and pronunciation as clear as possible.
