Shingon is a form of Japanese Esoteric
Buddhism, it is also called Shingon Mikkyo. This school was
founded in 804 AD by Kukai (Kobo Daishi) in Japan. The teachings
of Shingon are based on the Mahavairocana Sutra and the
Vajrasekhara Sutra, the fundamental sutras of Shingon. Through
the cultivation of three secrets, the actions of body, speech and
mind, we are able to attain enlightenment in this very body. When
we can sustain this state of mind, we can become one with the
life force of the Universe, known as Mahavairocana Buddha. The
symbolic activities are present anywhere in the universe. Natural
phenomena such as mountains and oceans and even humans express
the truth described in the sutras.
The universe itself embodies and can
not be separated from the teaching. In the Shingon tradition, the
practitioner uses the same techniques that were used over 1,200
years ago by Kukai, and have been transmitted orally generation
after generation to the present. As Shingon Buddhists, there are
three vows to observe in our lives:
May we realize Buddhahood in this very
life.
May we dedicate ourselves to the
well-being of people.
May we establish the World of Buddha on
this earth.
Becoming a Buddha in This Very Life
(Sokushin Jobutsu) The unique feature of this Shingon Teaching is
that one does not become a Buddha only in his mind, nor does one
become a Buddha after one has died. It means one is able to
attain perfection of all of the qualities of a Buddha while one
is yet living in his present physical body. An essay on the
Bodhicitta (Bodaishin-ron) says: "One speedily attained
great Awakening in the very body born of mother and father."
According to the Shingon tradition, all things in this universe
-- both physical matter, mind and mental states -- are made up of
some six primary elements. These six primary elements are: earth
(the principle of solidity), water (moisture), fire (energy),
wind (movement), space (the state of being unobstructed) and
consciousness (the six ways of knowing objects). Buddha as well
as ordinary human beings are made up of these six elements, and
in this sense both Buddha and human beings are basically and in
essence identical. When we realize this truth, then our actions,
our words, and our thoughts will undergo and experience of faith
which will cause them to be correct and purify their
surroundings. This living, physical body will be able to achieve
Buddhahood.
Salvation and Enlightenment. Shingon
Buddhism grants salvation and enlightenment to human beings who
would otherwise be caught in the cycle of birth and death. Once a
person is able to enter the gate of this faith, he/she will be
able to receive that salvation and guidance of many Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas. It is a religion in which that person will be
fortunate enough to be able to recite the mantras that are the
Buddha's own words. Kobo Daishi explained two points as its
special characteristics:
1. Attainment of enlightenment in this
very body.
2. The present moment that clearly
teaches the content of enlightenment.
He explained these two aspects
throughout his writings like, "The Meaning of Becoming a
Buddha in This Body," "The Ten Stages in the
Development of the Mind," "The Meaning of the Secret
Samaya Precepts of the Buddha." It is a blessings of Shingon
Buddhism to make it possible to come into direct contact with the
practices leading to salvation. Shingon discipline The Shingon
Teachings are broad and profound, and require strict discipline
to put into practice. If we do not personally practice them in
our daily lives of faith, then this treasure will become a
useless possession. In actuality, we must manifest the teachings
and practice of becoming a Buddha in this body in concrete form.
The form of this faith is the developing one's mind into higher
stage and engaging in discipline. There are various meditation
techniques in Shingon traditions including the practice for
gaining secular benefits for others by using mantra chanting and
mudra hand signs as well as seeking enlightenment in this very
body for oneself.
Shingon Discipline
The followings are some of the major forms practiced by many practitioners: Susokukan (Basic meditation to find one's own breathing pace) Gachirinkan (Moon Disc meditation) Ajikan (A syllable meditation) These practices are gateways into understanding the nature of Reality. Through these gateways we can experience many states of consciousness and as our skill develops we begin to have real insight into the nature of the unproduced state. Through these meditations we can experience the flow of energy from this state into this physical plane of existence. However, this state cannot be experienced without correct understanding of its doctrine and the guide by an authentic teacher.
Seicho Asahi
Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism, was born in the town of Zentsuji in Kagawa Prefecture in Japan in 774. He became a monk when he was 19 years old and went to China to study Esoteric Buddhism when he was 31. He studied the Sanskrit language under Indian masters and mastered Esoteric teaching from the Chinese master Hui-kuo, the 7th patriarch of Esoteric Buddhist tradition. When he returned to Japan, he established Shingon Buddhism and propagated its teaching throughout his lifetime. The Emperor Saga granted him Koyasan (Mt. Koya) as a place to found a monastic center in 816.
Kukai wrote several influential teachings and commentaries such as, The Secret key to the Heart Sutra, The Difference Between Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism, Attaining Enlightenment in This Very Existence, and The Ten Stages of the Development of Mind. Twelve hundred years later, these texts continue to enlighten seekers throughout the world.
Known by many as the father of Japanese culture, his contribution extended beyond the religious fields to cultural, academic and engineering spheres. He introduced a method of making and using an ink brush for writing; he created a phonetic alphabet of 47 letters referred to as the Japanese Kana, Iroha symbols; he opened a school for public in Kyoto and named it Shugei-shuchiin; he directed the construction of the Mannoike Dam to prevent floods in Sanuki on Shikoku Island.
As a living example of the three vows, Kukai entered eternal Samadhi on Mt. Koya on the 21st day of March, 835. Later, the Emperor Daigo granted him the honorific title Kobo Daishi in 921. His teachings remain alive today in everyones mind.
Koyasan is located in Wakayama Prefecture in Western Japan. Kobo Daishi initiated the Buddhist monastery at the top of this mountain which is 3,000 feet above sea level. There are numerous temples, shrines, stupas and religious halls atop Koyasan. Kongobuji Temple is the Headquarters of the Koyasan Shingon Mission, which comprises over 4,000 temples in Japan. At present, there are three schools for monks and nuns, a university, a monastery high school and a kindergarten operated by the mission.
Historically speaking, for over 1,000 years, women were prohibited to enter to Koyasan because this was a monastery for men. There was a monastery for women in Kudoyana, on the foot of Mt. Koya. The prohibition was lifted in 1872.
Visitors to Koyasan are inspired by the history of japan seen through old tombstones, stupas, and monuments along the path to Okunoin (inner sanctuary). Many national Treasures can be seen such as the Fudo-do shrine built in 1198 and at least 4697 treasures housed at the Reiho-kan Museum, in addition to exhibit of statues, Mandalas, arts, crafts, ritual implements, pictures and scrolls.