『源氏物語』における仏教的思想について ー藤壺、六条御息所、紫上の出家を中心にしてー

Abstract

During the Heian period, Buddhism started to spread throughout Japan, and the people of that era internalized its concepts and allowed them to permeate every aspect of society. The Tale of Genji, which was written at the same time, reflects these social traits. The Buddhist overtones that are represented in The Tale of Genji, which was written in the late Heian period, are now a major area of study for scholars. Not only are there numerous Buddhist terms, such as "duties" and "sins," but there are also frequent scenes of characters chanting, praying, and performing various dharma practices. The majority of the main characters in the work also worship Buddha, and a large number of people frequent Buddhist temples, which contributes to the work's overall abundance of Buddhist overtones. The characters' rituals of "leaving home (and joining the Buddhist priesthood)" seem to be a reflection of the Buddhist concepts found in The Tale of Genji. In order to shed light on the social situation of women who are compelled to live in dependence on men, this study first provides an overview of the spread of Buddhism during the Heian period and the Buddhist beliefs of the Heian aristocracy at the time The Tale of Genji was written. The study then examines in detail the three women who are involved in the "leaving home" rituals among the heroines in the work, in order to reveal the social condition of women who were forced to live in dependence on men.