Difference between revisions of "Shingonshū"
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| − | Shingonshū The Japanese esoteric Buddhist tradition of Shingon takes its name from the Chinese term zhenyan, which literally means "true word" and is the Chinese translation of the Sanskrit term mantra, meaning spoken phrases taken to have extraordinary powers. The practice of reciting mantras is taken as characteristic of this tradition and points to the continuity of the tradition's practices from its Indic origins through to its modern Japanese instantiation. The centrality of mantra recitation is evidenced by two early names for the tradition, Mantranaya (path of mantras), and Mantrayāna (vehicle of mantras). Shingon is an esoteric tradition, meaning that its practices are only to be transmitted by a qualified teacher (Jpn., ajari; Skt., ācārya) to a student who has undergone the appropriate initiations. When speaking of the Shingon tradition, it refers primarily to a lineage of ritual practice. | + | [[Shingonshū]] The [[Japanese]] [[esoteric]] [[Buddhist tradition]] of [[Shingon]] takes its [[name]] from the {{Wiki|Chinese}} term [[zhenyan]], which literally means "true [[word]]" and is the {{Wiki|Chinese}} translation of the [[Sanskrit]] term [[mantra]], meaning spoken phrases taken to have [[extraordinary]] [[powers]]. The practice of reciting [[mantras]] is taken as [[characteristic]] of this [[tradition]] and points to the continuity of the [[tradition's]] practices from its [[Indic]] origins through to its {{Wiki|modern}} [[Japanese]] instantiation. The centrality of [[mantra recitation]] is evidenced by two early names for the [[tradition]], [[Mantranaya]] ([[path]] of [[mantras]]), and [[Mantrayāna]] ([[vehicle]] of [[mantras]]). [[Shingon]] is an [[esoteric]] [[tradition]], meaning that its practices are only to be transmitted by a qualified [[teacher]] (Jpn., [[ajari]]; Skt., [[ācārya]]) to a [[student]] who has undergone the appropriate [[initiations]]. When {{Wiki|speaking}} of the [[Shingon]] [[tradition]], it refers primarily to a [[lineage]] of [[ritual]] practice. |
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[http://www.academicroom.com/humanities/religion/buddhist-studies/buddhist-sects/shingonshu www.academicroom.com] | [http://www.academicroom.com/humanities/religion/buddhist-studies/buddhist-sects/shingonshu www.academicroom.com] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:39, 5 July 2014
Shingonshū The Japanese esoteric Buddhist tradition of Shingon takes its name from the Chinese term zhenyan, which literally means "true word" and is the Chinese translation of the Sanskrit term mantra, meaning spoken phrases taken to have extraordinary powers. The practice of reciting mantras is taken as characteristic of this tradition and points to the continuity of the tradition's practices from its Indic origins through to its modern Japanese instantiation. The centrality of mantra recitation is evidenced by two early names for the tradition, Mantranaya (path of mantras), and Mantrayāna (vehicle of mantras). Shingon is an esoteric tradition, meaning that its practices are only to be transmitted by a qualified teacher (Jpn., ajari; Skt., ācārya) to a student who has undergone the appropriate initiations. When speaking of the Shingon tradition, it refers primarily to a lineage of ritual practice.
