Myōhen (1142-1224), a scholar-monk of Nara who had mastered Sanron and Hossō studies as well as Esoteric practices, discovered his own path to salvation through the exclusive nenbutsu teachings promoted by Hōnen (1133-1212). The development of Myōhen’s own understanding of the Pure Land teaching is known through the various biographies of Hōnen and the writings of scholars associated with Hōnen’s lineage. According to contemporary studies on Myōhen, all his writings have been lost. However, there are currently four extant manscripts of the Gyōja taiyōshō(Essentials for Buddhist Practitioners), a text which expounds the twenty-one ideal rules for Buddhist living. The authorship of the text has yet to be determined, because, according to postscripts, it is ascribed to either Myōhen or another monk named Myōzen (1167-1242) who was also known to be a follower of Hōnen. Through examining bibliographic evidence in the Gyōja taiyōshō manuscripts, and their the author’s understanding of Pure Land doctrine， in this paper I conclude that the text was written by Myōhen himself. The ideal rules of Buddhist living presented in the Gyōja taiyōshō are based on common doctrinal principles broadly shared among Buddhists, as shown through numerous citations of Buddhist scriptures, This clearly reflect the extensive learning of an author like Myōhen, who is also remembered as “Clever Kūamidabtsu” (Myōgishingyōshū, vol. 2), and a “wise and faithful monk” (Hōnen shōnin gyōjoezu, vol．16). Reading the Gyoja taiyōshō，we can also see how Buddhism was transmitted faithfully from India through China to Japan, and how it took root within the spiritual culture of Japan itself.
