Articles by alphabetic order
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 Ā Ī Ñ Ś Ū Ö Ō
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0


Difference between revisions of "Shugendō"

From Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
<nomobile>{{DisplayImages|1248|1477|3344}}</nomobile>
  
  
  
[[Shugendō]] ([[修験道]]?) is a highly {{Wiki|syncretic}} [[Buddhist]] [[religion]] or [[sect]] and mystical-spiritual [[tradition]] that originated in pre-Feudal [[Japan]], in which [[enlightenment]] is equated with [[attaining]] [[oneness]] with the [[kami]] ([[神]]?). This [[perception]] of experiential "[[awakening]]" is obtained through the [[understanding]] of the relationship between [[humanity]] and [[nature]], centered on an [[ascetic]], mountain-dwelling practice. The focus or goal of [[Shugendō]] is the [[development]] of [[spiritual experience]] and power. Having backgrounds in mountain {{Wiki|worship}}, [[Shugendō]] incorporated [[beliefs]] or [[philosophies]] from Old [[Shinto]][citation needed] as well as {{Wiki|folk}} {{Wiki|animism}}, and further developed as [[Taoism]] and [[esoteric Buddhism]] arrived in [[Japan]]. The 7th century [[ascetic]] and [[mystic]] En no [[Gyōja]] is often considered as having first organized [[Shugendō]] as a [[doctrine]]. [[Shugendō]] literally means "the [[path]] of {{Wiki|training}} and testing" or "the way to [[spiritual power]] through [[discipline]]."
+
 
 +
[[Shugendō]] ([[修験道]]?) is a highly {{Wiki|syncretic}} [[Buddhist]] [[religion]] or [[sect]] and mystical-spiritual [[tradition]] that originated in pre-Feudal [[Japan]], in which [[enlightenment]] is equated with [[attaining]] [[oneness]] with the [[kami]] ([[神]]?).  
 +
 
 +
This [[perception]] of experiential "[[awakening]]" is obtained through the [[understanding]] of the relationship between [[humanity]] and [[nature]], centered on an [[ascetic]], mountain-dwelling practice.  
 +
 
 +
The focus or goal of [[Shugendō]] is the [[development]] of [[spiritual experience]] and power. Having backgrounds in mountain {{Wiki|worship}}, [[Shugendō]] incorporated [[beliefs]] or [[philosophies]] from Old [[Shinto]] as well as {{Wiki|folk}} {{Wiki|animism}}, and further developed as [[Taoism]] and [[esoteric Buddhism]] arrived in [[Japan]].  
 +
 
 +
The 7th century [[ascetic]] and [[mystic]] [[En no Gyōja]] is often considered as having first organized [[Shugendō]] as a [[doctrine]].  
 +
 
 +
[[Shugendō]] literally means "the [[path]] of {{Wiki|training}} and testing" or "the way to [[spiritual power]] through [[discipline]]."
 
[[File:立石光正DSCF0451.JPG|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:立石光正DSCF0451.JPG|thumb|250px|]]
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
  
With its origins in the {{Wiki|solitary}} [[hijiri]] back in the 7th century, [[shugendō]] evolved as a sort of amalgamation between [[Vajrayana]], [[Shinto]], and several other [[religious]] [[influences]] [[including]] [[Taoism]]. [[Buddhism]] and [[Shinto]] were amalgamated in the [[shinbutsu shūgō]], and [[Kūkai's]] {{Wiki|syncretic}} view held wide sway up until the end of the {{Wiki|Edo period}}, coexisting with [[Shinto]] [[elements]] within [[shugendō]].
+
With its origins in the {{Wiki|solitary}} [[hijiri]] back in the 7th century, [[shugendō]] evolved as a sort of amalgamation between [[Vajrayana]], [[Shinto]], and several other [[religious]] [[influences]] [[including]] [[Taoism]].  
 +
 
 +
[[Buddhism]] and [[Shinto]] were amalgamated in the [[shinbutsu shūgō]], and [[Kūkai's]] {{Wiki|syncretic}} view held wide sway up until the end of the {{Wiki|Edo period}}, coexisting with [[Shinto]] [[elements]] within [[shugendō]].
  
 
In 1613 during the {{Wiki|Edo period}}, the {{Wiki|Tokugawa}} [[Shogunate]] issued a regulation obliging [[shugendō]] [[temples]] to either belong to [[Shingon]] or [[Tendai]] [[temples]].
 
In 1613 during the {{Wiki|Edo period}}, the {{Wiki|Tokugawa}} [[Shogunate]] issued a regulation obliging [[shugendō]] [[temples]] to either belong to [[Shingon]] or [[Tendai]] [[temples]].
  
During the {{Wiki|Meiji}} Restoration, when [[Shinto]] was declared an {{Wiki|independent}} [[state religion]] separate from [[Buddhism]], [[shugendō]] was banned as a {{Wiki|superstition}} not fit for a new, [[enlightened]] [[Japan]]. Some [[shugendō]] [[temples]] converted themselves into various officially approved [[Shintō]] denominations.
+
During the {{Wiki|Meiji}} Restoration, when [[Shinto]] was declared an {{Wiki|independent}} [[state religion]] separate from [[Buddhism]], [[shugendō]] was banned as a {{Wiki|superstition}} not fit for a new, [[enlightened]] [[Japan]].  
 +
 
 +
Some [[shugendō]] [[temples]] converted themselves into various officially approved [[Shintō]] denominations.
 +
 
 +
In {{Wiki|modern}} times, [[shugendō]] is practiced mainly by [[Tendai]] and [[Shingon]] sects, retaining an influence on {{Wiki|modern}} [[Japanese]] [[religion]] and {{Wiki|culture}}.
 +
 
 +
Some [[temples]] include: Kinpusen-ji in [[Yoshino]] ([[Tendai]]), [[Ideha Shrine]] in [[Dewa Sanzan]], [[Daigo-ji]] in {{Wiki|Kyoto}} ([[Shingon]]).
  
In {{Wiki|modern}} times, [[shugendō]] is practiced mainly by [[Tendai]] and [[Shingon]] sects, retaining an influence on {{Wiki|modern}} [[Japanese]] [[religion]] and {{Wiki|culture}}. Some [[temples]] include: Kinpusen-ji in [[Yoshino]] ([[Tendai]]), Ideha [[Shrine]] in [[Dewa Sanzan]], [[Daigo-ji]] in {{Wiki|Kyoto}} ([[Shingon]]).
 
  
 
==Followers==
 
==Followers==
Those who practice [[shugendō]] are referred to in two ways. One term, shugenja (修験者), is derived from the term [[shugendō]], literally meaning "a [[person]] of {{Wiki|training}} and testing", i.e. "a [[person]] of [[shugen]]." The other term, [[yamabushi]] (山伏), means "one who lies in the [[mountains]]". [[Supernatural]] creatures often appeared as [[yamabushi]] in [[Japanese]] [[myths]] and [[folklore]], as is evident in tales of the legendary [[warrior]] [[monk]] Saitō Musashibō Benkei and the [[deity]] Sōjōbō, [[king]] of the tengu ([[mountain spirits]]). [[Shugendō]] practitioners are the most [[direct lineage]] descendants of the [[ancient]] Kōya [[Hijiri]] [[monks]] of the eight and ninth centuries.
 
  
{{Wiki|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 shugyō. [[Pilgrimages]] involving mountain treks 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 {{Wiki|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 {{Wiki|military}} hegemony. Many {{Wiki|modern}} shugenja maintain the practice of [[relative]] anonymity in their daily [[lives]].
+
 
 +
Those who practice [[shugendō]] are referred to in two ways.
 +
 
 +
One term, [[shugenja]] ([[修験者]]), is derived from the term [[shugendō]], literally meaning "a [[person]] of {{Wiki|training}} and testing", i.e. "a [[person]] of [[shugen]]."
 +
 
 +
The other term, [[yamabushi]] ([[山伏]]), means "one who lies in the [[mountains]]".
 +
 
 +
[[Supernatural]] creatures often appeared as [[yamabushi]] in [[Japanese]] [[myths]] and [[folklore]], as is evident in tales of the legendary [[warrior]] [[monk]] [[Saitō Musashibō Benkei]] and the [[deity]] [[Sōjōbō]], [[king]] of the tengu ([[mountain spirits]]).
 +
 
 +
[[Shugendō]] practitioners are the most [[direct lineage]] descendants of the [[ancient]] [[Kōya Hijiri]] [[monks]] of the eight and ninth centuries.
 +
 
 +
{{Wiki|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 [[shugyō]].  
 +
 
 +
[[Pilgrimages]] involving mountain treks 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 {{Wiki|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 {{Wiki|military}} hegemony.  
 +
 
 +
Many {{Wiki|modern}} [[shugenja]] maintain the practice of [[relative]] anonymity in their daily [[lives]].
 
{{W}}
 
{{W}}
 
[[Category:Vajrayana]]
 
[[Category:Vajrayana]]

Revision as of 15:10, 1 February 2016

Milarepa6045.jpg
Thanka 171.jpg
Sera Monastery15.jpg



Shugendō (修験道?) is a highly syncretic Buddhist religion or sect and mystical-spiritual tradition that originated in pre-Feudal Japan, in which enlightenment is equated with attaining oneness with the kami (?).

This perception of experiential "awakening" is obtained through the understanding of the relationship between humanity and nature, centered on an ascetic, mountain-dwelling practice.

The focus or goal of Shugendō is the development of spiritual experience and power. Having backgrounds in mountain worship, Shugendō incorporated beliefs or philosophies from Old Shinto as well as folk animism, and further developed as Taoism and esoteric Buddhism arrived in Japan.

The 7th century ascetic and mystic En no Gyōja is often considered as having first organized Shugendō as a doctrine.

Shugendō literally means "the path of training and testing" or "the way to spiritual power through discipline."

立石光正DSCF0451.JPG

History

With its origins in the solitary hijiri back in the 7th century, shugendō evolved as a sort of amalgamation between Vajrayana, Shinto, and several other religious influences including Taoism.

Buddhism and Shinto were amalgamated in the shinbutsu shūgō, and Kūkai's syncretic view held wide sway up until the end of the Edo period, coexisting with Shinto elements within shugendō.

In 1613 during the Edo period, the Tokugawa Shogunate issued a regulation obliging shugendō temples to either belong to Shingon or Tendai temples.

During the Meiji Restoration, when Shinto was declared an independent state religion separate from Buddhism, shugendō was banned as a superstition not fit for a new, enlightened Japan.

Some shugendō temples converted themselves into various officially approved Shintō denominations.

In modern times, shugendō is practiced mainly by Tendai and Shingon sects, retaining an influence on modern Japanese religion and culture.

Some temples include: Kinpusen-ji in Yoshino (Tendai), Ideha Shrine in Dewa Sanzan, Daigo-ji in Kyoto (Shingon).


Followers

Those who practice shugendō are referred to in two ways.

One term, shugenja (修験者), is derived from the term shugendō, literally meaning "a person of training and testing", i.e. "a person of shugen."

The other term, yamabushi (山伏), means "one who lies in the mountains".

Supernatural creatures often appeared as yamabushi in Japanese myths and folklore, as is evident in tales of the legendary warrior monk Saitō Musashibō Benkei and the deity Sōjōbō, king of the tengu (mountain spirits).

Shugendō practitioners are the most direct lineage descendants of the ancient Kōya Hijiri monks of the eight and ninth centuries.

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 shugyō.

Pilgrimages involving mountain treks 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.

Source

Wikipedia:Shugendō