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Legends and influences of Kokaku, the founder of Shugendo,
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Article Table of Contents
- The legend of the founder of Shugendo, the legend of Kogaku and the profound influence
- From childhood to the path of training: The birth of a child prodigy
- The establishment of Shugendo: The fusion of nature and humans, mind and body
- Affair with a demon - The legend of the front and rear demons
- The relationship and trials between exile and return and Emperor Mommu
- Commemoration as a great bodhisattva and respect for future generations
- Historical influences of Kogaku and the spirit that thrives in the present day
- Inspiration for the modern era: harmony with nature
The legend of the founder of Shugendo, the legend of Kogaku and the profound influence
Enno Gyoja is such an important figure in Japanese and religious history that no one knows his name. He had a great influence on future generations as the founder of Shugendo, a unique religious system based on mountain faith. He was born in Chihara Village, the Katsuragi region of Yamato Province, in 634, and in what is now Gose City, Nara Prefecture, and until 701 he ended his life, his footprints are deeply engraved in Japan's spiritual culture. During this period, Japan was a turbulent period that changed from the Asuka period to the Nara period, and while Buddhism was becoming more popular, the worship of nature from ancient times remained strong. Yakikogaku blended both trends to build a unique view of religion.
From childhood to the path of training: The birth of a child prodigy
In his childhood, Kouzukaku was praised as a "child prodigy" due to his extraordinary talent. The spirituality that one would have been born with, and the keen intelligence that seemed to support it, surprised those around us.
He is already in his teenage years and begins to hone his outstanding abilities as he is already on the path of training. At the age of 17, he entered Gangoji Temple in Nara, where he learned the secret of esoteric Buddhism, the Peacock Myo-Oh. This Peacock Myo-Oh Prayer became the foundation of the religious activities of the subsequent Genko Kouga, and became the source of magical power and spiritual revelation.
However, he not only pursued training in the temple, but also sought strict training in nature. He clings to sacred mountains such as Mt. Katsuragi and Mt. Omine, and trains his rigorous training day and night.
Training in the mountains was a way to train the mind and purify the body in the harshness of nature, while also being able to directly sense the spiritual power of nature and transform it into your own power. In this way, he fused mountain faith with esoteric magic and established his own Shugendo.
The establishment of Shugendo: The fusion of nature and humans, mind and body
Shugendo is not just a sect of Buddhism. It is a unique Japanese religious system, created by the complex intertwining of various religions and ideas, including ancient Japanese nature worship, Buddhism, Taoism, and Onmyodo.
The Shugenists viewed the mountains as sacred sites and trained in the harsh environment to achieve purification of the mind and body and gain supernatural powers. Yakukou played the most important role as the person who laid the foundations of his Shugendo.
He toured sacred mountains all over Japan and opened sacred sites there. At that time, I not only practiced, but also became deeply involved in the nature, faith, and traditions of the land. The harshness of the mountains, the majestic nature, and the vitality of the plants and animals that live there were all of these places of training for the Shugenists and were a guidepost to enlightenment.
In particular, a strict diet, such as eating only pine needles and grass ferns, was to cut off physical desires and pursue mental purity.
Shugendo, established by Yakikogaku, not only did he practice in the mountains, but also placed emphasis on his role in society.
He is reportedly using his spiritual power to save people, heal illnesses, and exorcise disasters. Shugendo was a comprehensive religious system that not only encouraged individuals' spiritual growth through strict training, but also aimed at social contributions.
Affair with a demon - The legend of the front and rear demons
When talking about Yanokokaku's life, the essential thing is his relationship with the demon. What's particularly famous is the episodes between the couple, "Mae Oni" and "Go Oni." These two were once evil demons that brought disaster to the people, but were converted by Yanagio Kozuku and became his apprentice. This story is not just a legend, but also a key element that symbolizes the teachings of Shugendo.
- The former demon is in the form of a red demon, and is depicted as an entity with an iron axe in hand, opening up a new path. This symbolizes the way a Shugenist carves through the mountains and moves along, and also represents the power to cut off his inner self's insecurity and desires.
- The other demon is a blue demon, carrying a water pot and depicted as a symbol of pure spiritual water. Water is the source of life and represents purity, and the after-oni is thought to play a role in purifying and purifying the minds of the Shugenists.
- The Mae Oni and the Bae Oni have five children, and each of them is said to have played a role in opening a Shugendo lodging. They were called "Goki" and played an important role in the faith of Shugendo. The story of the former demon and the later demon suggests the spiritual power of the character Kogaku, which is enough to change the demon, and can also be interpreted as expressing both the good and evil that lurk within humans.
- It can also be said to represent the tolerant spirit of Shugendo, which accepts and harmonizes even hostile beings. Their faith is still alive in the area they opened, and it is an important pilgrimage site in Shugendo.
The relationship and trials between exile and return and Emperor Mommu
However, Yanagi's life was not always smooth sailing. His spiritual power and overwhelming support from the people were sometimes a threat to the imperial court, the powerful of the time.
As a result, he was exiled by Emperor Mommu's order by slander, and was sent to Izu Oshima in 699. It is believed that this was the imperial court's intentions, fearing that his outstanding abilities could shatter existing power structures and social order.
However, this exile resulted in further strengthening the power of the lord Kogaku. It is said that he continued to train in Izu Oshima as well, and continued to improve his spiritual powers.
Then, two years later, in 701, amnesty was given, and Yanagio-gaku was able to return. This tale of exile and return was a symbolic event that showed him not just a practitioner, but a special one, and further emphasized his supernatural powers.
Returning from exile showed that he had overcome his ordeal and sublimated to a higher dimension, and was a major factor in deepening his faith.
Commemoration as a great bodhisattva and respect for future generations
After Yanakazuka's death, his fame continued to rise without waning. During the Heian period, it was known as "gekijyoja" and became revered by many people as the founder of Shugendo.
In the Edo period, Emperor Kokaku was awarded the title "Divine Enchantment Great Bodhisattva." This title officially recognized the great achievements he achieved, his extraordinary spiritual power and widespread religious influence.
The title "Divine Enchantment Great Bodhisattva" means that the genki kogaku is not merely a human, but an existence close to God.
His superhuman power and his salvation to the people have become the subject of many people's faith, and to this day, his existence is deeply worshipped as a central figure in Shugendo. There are many shrines and temples that worship him, and many people always visit him, touching his teachings and following in his footsteps.
Historical influences of Kogaku and the spirit that thrives in the present day
The Shugendo left behind by Yanakaku is deeply rooted in modern Japanese culture and faith. Mountain-based religious practices played a very important role in shaping Japan's religious identity.
In particular, the strong influence of Shugendo in the Yoshino and Kumano regions remains strong even in modern times, and has had a major influence on many sacred sites' beliefs.
In addition, related beings such as the disciples of Yanokokaku and the former demons and the former demons have become important symbols in local culture and tradition. These stories are told through festivals and traditional performing arts and play an important role in shaping the identity of local people.
Furthermore, the form of faith based on Yanokou's training and legends has influenced many literature and artworks, and has continued to be loved by people throughout the ages.
For example, the Shugendo-style pilgrimage to Mt. Yoshino in Nara Prefecture and Kumano Taisha in Wakayama Prefecture is known as a place where you can directly sense the footprints of Yanoko.
Many people visit these places not only as tourist destinations but also as objects of faith. The pilgrimage of Shugendo is an experience that purifies the mind and body and encourages spiritual growth by walking along harsh mountain paths and becoming one with nature.
Inspiration for the modern era: harmony with nature
As of 2024, the belief in Shugendo continues throughout the country, and many people visit many sacred sites and temples related to Yanagikuchi every day.
In recent years, the teachings of Shugen, which aim to harmonize with nature, have been re-evaluated, providing new inspiration for people who value environmental issues and internal growth. Shugendo has the potential to provide a solution or a new perspective to the various challenges facing modern society.
The footprints of Yanakaku's footsteps not only have a religious heritage in Japan, but also have a wide influence on the spirit of modern people.
His life and teachings teach us universal values that encompass nature, spirituality, and diverse views of religion. It could serve as a guide to reaffirming the connection between humans and nature that is becoming lost in modern society and regaining peace in our hearts.
Throughout his life, Yanakaku tried to blend and harmonize various opposing concepts: nature and man, mind and body, good and evil, and life and death.
His way of life and his teachings still teach us a lot today. Its existence continues to inspire us deeply, across the ages.
ABOUT ME
Born in Aomori Prefecture in 1965, he has been suffering from troubles, illnesses and injuries caused by spiritual phenomena since childhood. However, one day, when he was 20 years old, he attended an event, had a mysterious experience at the venue, and was hit by lightning energy from the heavens, as if piercing the spinal cord from his brain, and his psychic abilities blossomed. He then began studying psychology and psychiatry, and now he has combined psychiatry and consciousness engineering. Established "Radionics exorcism" using our own radionics techniques. "It's possible to treat your fortune" beyond exorcism, memorial service, and healing.
