Korean Journal of Buddhist Studies ISSN:1598-0642(Print) 불교학연구

This paper states the point that the newly selected editions of previous scripture contain the reinterpretation that reflects the social problems of the age and timely religious solutions. The first chapter of Ōjoyoshu(往生要集) written by Genshin is ‘Jigokudo’. It seems he intended to invoke the fear of hell in people rather than joy of the Pure Land. Jigokudo(地獄道) in “Enriedo(厭離穢土)” of Ōjoyoshu(往生要集)is mostly based on the Āryasaddharma-smŗtyupasthāna-sūtra. It is assumed that Genshin chose the passages that directly related with the social problems of mid-Japan in accordance to the causal-Karmas in Āryasaddharma- smŗtyupasthāna-sūtra, which demonstrate the bad karmas of humans and precepts for Buddhists. Especially, the volume of Gōjigoku intensively preached the Karma of sexual ethics and the torture of hell that results from sexual karma. In particular, he selectively edited the content of homosexuality from Gōjigoku, which ismainly related with sexual karma. His work presents a good model for the assumption that newly edited versions, by religious leaders, of a canonical literature reflect the contemporary social problems of the age and religious answers to them