Shugendō (修験道?) is an old Japanese religion in which enlightenment is obtained through the study of the relationship between Man and Nature. A man is a Male Human. The term man (irregular plural Nature, in the broadest sense is equivalent to the natural world, physical universe, material world or material universe. Shugendō literally means "the path of training and testing. " It centers on an ascetic, mountain-dwelling lifestyle and incorporates teachings from Koshintō (ancient Shinto), Buddhism and other eastern philosophies including folk animism. Ascetic redirects here You might also be looking for Acetic acid. is the native religion of Japan and was once its State religion. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Animism (from Latin anima ( Soul, Life) commonly refers to a religious belief that Souls or Spirits exist in Animals Shugendo practitioners are the most direct lineage descendants of the ancient hijiri of the eight and ninth centuries. [1] The focus or goal of shugendō is the development of spiritual experience and power.
En-no-Gyōja is often considered as having first organized shugendō as a doctrine. En no Gyōja (役行者 or En no Ozunu (役小角 born 634 was a Japanese Ascetic and mystic, traditionally held to be the founder of Shugendō
Contents |
History
With its origins in the solitary hijiri, Shugendō evolved as a sort of amalgamation between esoteric Buddhism, Shinto and several other religious influences in Japan around the 7th century, including imported Taoism. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices is the native religion of Japan and was once its State religion. The 7th century is the period from 601 to 700 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. Taoism (pronounced /ˈdaʊɪzəm/ or /ˈtaʊɪzəm/ also spelled '''Daoism''') refers to a variety of related Philosophical and Religious traditions Buddhism and Shinto coexisted and were amalgamated in the shinbutsu shūgō and Kūkai's syncretic view held wide sway up until the end of the Edo period. Syncretism consists of the attempt to reconcile disparate or contradictory beliefs often while melding practices of various schools of thought The, also referred to as the Tokugawa period (徳川時代 Tokugawa-jidai) is a division of Japanese history running from 1603 to 1868
During the Meiji restoration, in 1873, shugendō was banned as a superstition not fit for a new, enlightened Japan. The, also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, or Renewal, was a chain of events that led to enormous changes in Japan 's political and social structure The Shugendō temples were converted into imperial Shintō shrines. Some Shugendo orders found protection through incorporating state-sponsored Buddhism into their doctrines. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices
In modern times, shugendō is practiced by diverse temples and sects, mainly by the Yoshino Yamabushi of Dewa Sanzan (Tendai sect), Kinpusenji and Ishiyama-dera Shingon sects, retaining an influence on modern Japanese religion and culture. The refer to the three sacred mountains of Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan and Mount Yudono, which are clustered together in the ancient province of Dewa (modern-day Shingon Buddhism (眞言 真言 " true words " is a major school of Japanese Buddhism, and is the other branch of Vajrayana Buddhism The primary religions in Japan are Buddhism and Shintō (神道 " the way of the gods " The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over millenia from the country's prehistoric Jomon culture to its contemporary hybrid culture which combines influences from Asia
Followers
Those who practice shugendō are referred in two ways. One term, shugenja (修験者), is derived from the term "shugendō" much as "Buddhist" describes a follower of Buddha or Christian a follower of Christ, though the term centers on an idea as opposed to a person. Shugenja (修験者 were the 7th century practitioners of the Japanese Religion of Shugendo. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed "
The other term, yamabushi (山伏) means "one who lies in the mountains". (Literally "One who lies/hides in the mountains" are Japanese mountain Ascetic hermits In modern use the term ubasoku-yamabushi refers to laymen Supernatural creatures often appeared as yamabushi in Japanese myths and folklore, as is evident in the legendary monk warrior Saito Musashibo Benkei and the deity Sojobo, king of the tengu (mountain spirits). Japanese mythology is a system of beliefs that embraces Shinto and Buddhist traditions as well as agriculture-based Folk religion. popularly called Benkei, was a Sohei (warrior monk who served Minamoto no Yoshitsune. is the mythical king of the Tengu, minor deities who inhabit the Mountains of Forests of Japan. are a class of supernatural creatures found in Japanese folklore, art, theater, and literature.
Modern shugenja in Japan and throughout the world are known to self-actualize their spiritual power in experiential form through challenging and rigorous ritualistic tests of courage and devotion known as shugyo. Pilgrimages involving mountain treks (Mts Ominé, Dewa, Hakusan, etc in Japan) are embarked upon by shugenja and, through the experience of each trek, as well as years of study, "rank" is earned within the sect. The rituals are kept secret from the neophyte shugenja and the world at large. This denju ensures the true faith of the neophytes and maintains the fear of the unknown as they embark upon the austere journey. This secrecy was also borne out of previous episodes of persecution and oppression of shugenja as a threat to the ruling military hegemony. Many modern shugenja maintain the practice of relative anonymity in their daily lives.
Further reading
- "Sutra on the Unlimited Life of the Threefold Body" (translated into English)
References
- ^ Blacker, Carmen (1999). The Catalpa Bow. UK: Japan Library, 165-167. ISBN 1-873410-85-9.
External links
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic