Kukai's life and achievements introduced ancient yoga to Japan

Kukai: The life and achievements of the giants who introduced ancient yoga to Japan

Kukai, whose name is Kobo Daishi, appeared like a star shining brightly in Japan in the early Heian period. On July 27, 774, he was born into this world under the name Saeki no Mao, a prominent Saeki family in Sanuki Province (now Kagawa Prefecture).

From a young age, his intellectual curiosity was extraordinary, and his craving for knowledge was like a bottomless well.。

When he enrolled in a university dormitory in Heiankyo at the age of 16, his talent quickly blossomed, achieving outstanding academic achievements, and becoming a person who is highly respected by those around him. But the path of secular success, the path to bureaucracy, did not quell the flames within him.

Monk and his inclination towards the Buddhist path - the quest for truth

At the young age of 19, Mao gave up on his career as a bureaucrat and reached a major turning point in his life as a monk. At this time, it was not superficial knowledge that drove him to the point, but his quest for deeper truth.

His deep inclination towards Buddhism led him to face his inner self and on the path of real enlightenment, without being content with ease. From this point on, he began to go on a path not merely an intellectual, but as a seeker who attempts to grasp the truth through practice and experience.

Meet Esoteric Buddhism: A Journey to Tang and Meet Eka Prince

As Kukai deepened his quest for Buddhism, what attracted me was the deep teachings of esoteric Buddhism, especially Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. In 804, he moved to Tang (now China) in search of more practical and mysterious teachings of esoteric Buddhism, not bound by the framework of pre-established Buddhism.

At that time, Tang was the center of Buddhist culture and was a place where many monks and scholars gathered. There he met Prince Keika, a leading figure in esoteric Buddhism. Demonstrated by Kukai's extraordinary talent and enthusiasm, Keika generously conveyed the secrets of esoteric Buddhism to him.

At Seiryu Temple in Xian, Kukai achieved the historic feat of mastering the core of esoteric Buddhism in just two years and bringing the teachings back to Japan.

This sense of speed is the result of his incredible intelligence and extraordinary effort, and shows how he craved the truth and devoted his all to achieving it.

He not only "learned" teachings, but also learned them through his own body and mind, allowing him to understand the profound meaning and gain the power to freely manipulate them.

Establishment of Shingon Sect and the spread of esoteric Buddhism - A new trend in Japanese Buddhism

In 806, Kukai returned to Japan and began full-scale activities to spread the teachings of esoteric Buddhism. He founded Kongobu-ji Temple on Mount Koya, and made it the main dojo for Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. The reason they built the temple in the rough mountains is because they wanted a serene environment where they could separate themselves from the hustle and bustle of the world and focus on their training.

He was also entrusted with Toji Temple (Kyogokokuji Temple) in Kyoto, and this was the central dojo for Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. Toji Temple is located in the middle of the capital and played an important role in spreading esoteric Buddhism to many people.

Not only did Kukai bring the new Buddhist philosophy of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism to Japan, but also established a unique denomination called "Toshin."

His teachings, unlike traditional Buddhism, contained more practical and mysterious elements, which really shocked people at the time. He also left behind many works that systematically summarized the doctrines of esoteric Buddhism and spread the ideas.

"The Thudonym of the Heart Sutra" and "The Secret Key of the Heart Sutra" are important documents that are essential for understanding his profound ideas.

Although esoteric, these works provided the foundation for the transfer of the mysteries and doctrines of esoteric Buddhism to the common people and the intellectual class of Japan. Kukai not only conveyed teachings, but also aimed to make those teachings deeply penetrate people's hearts and be understood through practice.

Contribution to culture and technology - The blossoming of multi-talented talent

Kukai demonstrated outstanding talent not only as a religious person, but also as a cultural figure and engineer. He was also known as a very excellent calligrapher, and his books are still praised as "three-written works." In particular, the letter "Fushincho" is considered to be the masterpiece that embodies his beautiful brushwork and high spirituality, and has captivated many people.

Kukai saw it not as a tool to convey text information, but as a medium for expressing emotions and spirituality, and expressed the inner self through calligraphy.

also said to have made a major contribution to the formation of hiragana. This has led to the establishment and development of the Japanese scribe culture .

The spread of hiragana has also made a major contribution to the spread of culture as more people can read and write characters. Kukai's connection between "writing" and "spirituality" can be said to have laid the foundation for intellectual development during the Heian period.

Furthermore, he demonstrated his keen talent in practical terms. During the renovation of Mannoike in Kagawa Prefecture, he was involved in the introduction of the technology called an arched embankment, which was a groundbreaking point for the time, and his achievements are still being talked about today, more than 1,200 years later.

This project not only developed infrastructure, but also gained the trust of local communities and contributed to the stability of people's lives. Kukai was not merely a theorist, but also contributed to enriching people's lives through practice.

He established the Sogeishu Chiin as an educational venue for everyone to learn.。

This school is considered Japan's first private school for the common people, and aimed to spread knowledge regardless of status or class. At the time, despite limited educational opportunities, Kukai's efforts were extremely innovative and became the root of Japan's educational philosophy. His enthusiasm for education is not merely advocating knowledge, but also aims to raise the overall society, and his contribution to society is immeasurable.

Teachings of Instant Integration of Buddhahood - A Fusion of Theory and Practice

At the heart of the Shingon Esoteric Buddhism doctrine that Kukai preached is the concept of "immediately acquiring Buddhahood." This was a very bold idea at the time, that it was possible to reach Buddha's state through training as a physical body in this world.

In order to achieve this, it was said that it is necessary to thoroughly harmonize the practice method known as the "Sanmitsu," namely the body (confined), words (confined), and mind (confined). The hands are tied together (symbolic shapes) (intimate), chant mantra (intimate), and contemplating the spirit in one with the Buddha (intimate). Through these practices, we aimed to become one with Dainichi Nyorai.

Furthermore, a special practice called the Kokuzo Kumonji method was one of the practices that Kukai spread. This is a strict practice method in which you recite the mantra of Kokuzo Bosatsu 1 million times, and is intended to improve your wisdom and memory .

This process is said to touch upon mystical states, and was expected to bring about spiritual transformation for the practitioners.

Kukai emphasized not merely theory, but encouraged self-change through practice, and showed many people how to do this.

Relationship between Kukai and the community and society: The spirit of coexistence

Kukai's influence did not fall within religious spheres. What he emphasized along with Shingon Esoteric Buddhism was "coexistence with society." He aimed to help people practice Buddhist teachings in their daily lives, and that society as a whole develops in harmony.

In particular, in the Sanuki region, the name of Kukai is deeply engraved, and the 88 pilgrimages in the Shikoku region are gaining faith from all over Japan as a pilgrimage site that traces his spirits.

This pilgrimage has contributed not only to Buddhist implications, but also to the development of local tourism and culture.

also exchanged opinions with Saicho, the founder of the Tendai sect, and developed Japanese Buddhism with each other.

The influence of two contemporary thinkers made great achievements in future generations, and even Buddhist thought showed the "diversity of thought." They respect each other's position, but strived to build a better society, and valued human connections that transcend religious boundaries.

Entry - To eternal enlightenment

In 835, Kukai reached its final days at Mt. Koya in the form of "nyujo." It has the faithful meaning of reaching eternal enlightenment in meditation beyond physical death.

His spirit is said to remain in Mount Koya after his death, and continues to gain faith to this day as a place visited by many pilgrims. His induction means that he has sublimated into an eternal spiritual being, not just the end of the body, and continues to give hope and courage to many.。

His achievements and teachings during his lifetime became deeply rooted throughout the country, and in 921 he was given the honorary name "Kobo Daishi." Since then, Kukai's teachings have been passed down through the ages, and are recognized as the ultimate form not only in Japan but around the world, in the fields of religion, philosophy, calligraphy, architecture, and education.

His extensive achievements have deeply impressed future generations, and many strive to contribute to the growth of their own self and the development of society by pursuing his footsteps.

The legacy of soul and wisdom: an impact on the future

The influence left behind by Kukai is vast and uneven. Equity in society, the academic background of Buddhist philosophy, yoga and meditation as a modern spiritual practice, and connections with the local community - these not only remain historical heritage, but also continue to shine as guidelines for people living in the present. His multifaceted influence, which transcends training and philosophy, can be said to be the foundation of Japanese culture.

Learning from Kukai and following the path of embodying his spirit should help us to understand the world with a broader perspective and carve out the future. His spirit will continue to inspire people through time and become a light that will lead us into a better world.

Following Kukai's footsteps and learning his teachings is an essential guide not only for our own growth, but also for building a more peaceful and harmonious society.

His legacy is not merely an event in the past, but a light that illuminates the future, and will be key to exploiting our own inner potential.

Shokey Hayashi

Exorcist/Radionics Technique Researcher

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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.