Shingon Buddhism and Kukai: Natural Beauty of Mount Koya and Spirituality

Wednesday, December 26th, 2012 | Filed under Culture,Customs,Japan,Kansai,Latest Articles,Lifestyle,Tourism,Tourism,World | Posted by

Shingon Buddhism and Kukai: Natural Beauty of Mount Koya and Spirituality

Olivier Lecourt and Tomoko Hara

Modern Tokyo Times

Kukai (774-835) who became known as Kobo Daishi established a lasting legacy because this religious leader believed in a unique form of Buddhism. According to Kukai an individual could attain enlightenment in one lifetime and this was very revolutionary.

Earlier this year Tokyo National Museum had a stunning exhibition about Kukai and despite the ultra-modernity of modern day Tokyo the exhibition was a great success. Not only did Tokyoites flock to learn more about this sophisticated Buddhist teacher but many tourists also visited because of his rich legacy.

Kukai and Shingon Buddhism remains potent today and Esoteric Buddhism appeals globally because despite the onset of modernity, you will always have people searching for new meaning. All the material wealth in the world can’t satisfy the inner-self because the more simplistic things in life give the most pleasure.

In the ninth century Kukai established the first monastery of his school of thought on Mount Koya (Koya-san) in Wakayama. True to the nature of Kukai, he didn’t settle for anyplace and instead he searched for a retreat which would be cut off from the centers of power in this period.

Mount Koya gave birth to the Shingon sect of Buddhism and today Koyasan is a thriving religious oasis which is blessed by stunning views in every direction. Therefore, pilgrims and tourists continue to flock to Koyasan and visit many exquisite Buddhist temples.

Kukai’s theory that enlightenment could be attained in one lifetime was very potent in the ninth century and remains so today. This fresh thought pattern created a new energy and today the diversity of Japanese Buddhism remains rich.  Kukai also spread his message and thinking on the top of Mount Koya and you can imagine the religious bliss he felt because of the backdrop of nature which is a wonder to behold.

Indeed, the impact of nature and the isolation of Koyasan must have changed many aspects of Kukai’s thinking. Therefore, Mount Koya and Kukai in a sense became one and non-religious people who visit modern day Koyasan can’t but help to feel the religious dimension of this place.

In an earlier article by Modern Tokyo Times it was stated that “Kukai was a searcher and he visited China and during his stay he studied Esoteric Buddhism.  Initially, he prayed for peace and prosperity because he could not find inner-peace within city life, therefore, he searched for a place where he could meditate and become even more spiritual.”

“When Kukai saw the stunning nature of Koyasan it was clear to him that he had found the place which he desired.  The mountains meant that he was cut off from everyday city life in this period and the sublime beauty of nature added to the mysterious feel of Koyasan.”

“Today, in the modern period, other worlds still survive and in Koyasan you feel the richness of culture, the souls of the dead within the mysterious graveyards, the beauty of life within the grounds of so many Buddhist temples and a culture which still survives.”

In the last moments of his life Kukai only focused on meditation because he refused to take food and drink water. This fact would have added to his deep sense of spirituality which was already immense but Kukai didn’t flinch because he knew that death was near.

After he parted from this world many legends sprung up and one powerful statement is that Kukai was transformed into an eternal Samadhi. Therefore, Kukai, according to this theory, continues to wander around Mount Koya and he is patiently waiting for the next Buddha Maitreya to appear.

Irrespective if you are a Buddhist or a non-Buddhist, it is abundantly clear that Mount Koya is very spiritual because you can certainly feel something.

 Lee Jay Walker gave support to both writers

http://www.tnm.jp/modules/r_free_page/index.php?id=1393 Tokyo National Museum

http://www.visiblemantra.org/kukai.html Kukai and information

http://ww2.coastal.edu/rgreen/ Kukai and information

http://www.shukubo.jp/eng/ (stunning Koyasan)

http://www.koyasan.org/ (Information about Koyasn)

http://moderntokyotimes.com/2011/06/26/koyasan-in-wakayama-stunning-mysterious-and-sublime-architecture/

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