Examining the Repentance of the Lotus-Sutra in Late Goryeo and it’s Doctrinal and Religious Foundations

This study investigates the repentance practice associated with the Lotus Sutra during the late Goryeo period, and it's doctrinal and religious foundations. The repentance rituals became well-documented with the publication of San-geung's (⼭亘) "Samadhi Repentance of the Lotus Sutra" (妙法蓮華經三昧懺法) in three volumes in 1326. Unlike Tiantai Chi-i's manual, these rituals divided the Lotus Sutra into twelve parts, conducting a ritual for each segment that included sutra chanting (誦經), contemplation (作觀), worship (禮敬), and repentance (懺悔). The doctrinal basis of these practices can be understood through "The Commentary for Helping the Repentance of Lotus Samadhi" (法華經三昧懺助宣講儀), written between 1326 and 1377. This commentary was intended as a guide for the repentance rituals, offering extensive doctrinal insights into the Lotus Sutra, drawing from texts not only within the Tiantai Order but also from the Zen Order. This approach likely aimed to elevate the stature of the Tiantai Order within the late Goryeo Buddhist community. Particularly noteworthy is Leyuan's "Collection of Spiritual Experiences of the Lotus Sutra" (法華靈驗傳), which shares a concluding section with "The Commentary for Helping the Repentance of Lotus Samadhi." This indicates that Leyuan's (了圓) work served not only as a compilation of spiritual experiences but also as a supportive text for practitioners of Lotus Samadhi from a religious perspective.