The Xifang yaojue shiyi tonggui 西方要決釈疑通規 （commonly known as Xifang yaojue）, said to have been edited by Ji 基 （632-682）, is a Pure Land Buddhist work that can be regarded as an important research focus in the history of Buddhist philosophy in China because it appears to preserve ideas of other schools, such as the Sanjie jiao 三階教 （Three Stages sect）, Chan, and Maitreya worship （the aspiration for rebirth in the Tuṣita heaven）. However, the background of the establishment of the Xifang yaojue has not been clarified, and we cannot currently position the book in the history of thought.
Specifically, there is an issue regarding the editor of the Xifang yaojue. The position of the book in the history of thought varies depending on the conclusion regarding whether the book was edited by Ji or is a creation of later generations. At present, the latter theory is predominant, and many previous studies were conducted on that premise. However, few of those were in-depth examinations of the background of the establishment of the work, and the influence of the theory that it is an authentic compilation has not been entirely rejected. Therefore, this paper organizes previous studies in order to select the focal points of its argument, thereupon examining the background of the establishment of the Xifang yaojue.
