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'''Shugendō''' (修験道) is an old Japanese way of studying the relationship between Man and Nature. ''Shugendō'' literally means "the path of training and testing." It centers on an ascetic, mountain-dwelling lifestyle and incorporates teachings from other eastern philosophies. The focus or goal of shugendō is the development of spiritual experience and power.
En-no-Gyōja is often considered the founder of shugendō.

Contents

History

Followers

Further reading

External links

History

Shugendō evolved as a sort of amalgamation between state-sponsored Buddhism and several other religious influences in Japan around the 7th century, including but not limited to Taoism and Shintō. During the Meiji restoration,
shugendō was banned as a superstition not fit for a new, enlightened Japan. The Shugendō temples were converted into imperial Shintō shrines.
In modern times, shugendō is practiced by the Yoshino Yamabushi of Dewa Sanzan (Tendai sect), Kinpusenji and Ishiyama-dera Shingon sects, but it retains an influence on modern Japanese religion and culture.

Followers

Those who practice shugendō are referred in two ways. One term, ''shugenja'' (修験者), is derived from the term "shugendō" much as "Buddhist" describes a follower of Buddha or Christian a follower of Christ, though the term centers on an idea as opposed to a person.
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 the legendary monk warrior Saito Musashibo Benkei and the deity Sojobo, king of the ''tengu'' (mountain spirits).
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 shugyo. Pilgrimages involving mountain treks (Mts Ominé, Dewa, Hakusan, etc in Japan) 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.

Further reading

★ "Sutra on the Unlimited Life of the Threefold Body" (translated into English)

★ Shugen: The Autumn Peak of Haguro Shugendo

External links

★ A Useful Shugendo Index

★ A Look at Japanese Ascetic Practice