Yūki Norikazu divided the development of Yogācāra studies during the Edo period into four stages. The subject of this study, Kaijou, is considered one of the representative figures of the third stage. The academic style of this period was characterized mainly by critical and free exploration. This paper attempts to examine and discuss the specific manifestation, significance, and value of the critical and free academic style represented by Kaijou, based on his work Jouyuishikiron Kaijoushou. Kaijou viewed the Thirty Verses on Consciousness-Only, the Cheng Weishi Lun, and the Commentary on the Cheng Weishi Lun as three independent entities in terms of thought, treating them separately and criticizing their theoretical flaws. This paper highlights Kaijou ‘s independent scholarly spirit, which does not rely on authority, and notes that his approach closely resembles Western critical thinking. However, it is also important to recognize that this highly critical academic approach has its limitations.
Keywords:
Kaijou, Jouyuishikiron Kaijoushou, Edo Buddhism, Yogācāra Theory