________________ A Study on the Historical Character of the Ippen () Teachings (1) Kiyoshi HIROKAMI At the end of the Kamakura period, the Ippen Teachings were formed under the influence of Zen-Buddhism, Esoteric Buddhism, Shintoism, especially of the Honji-Suijaku (* ) Theory. In the Honji-Suijaku Theory, the native Japanese gods (Jingi, WT) are considered to be manifestations (Suijaku) of the true nature (Honji) of various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The purpose of this study is to trace historically the formation of the Ippen Teachings, in particular the Honji-Suijaku Theory. - 19 -
