Related Terms • Buddhism • Shingon Buddhism

Name:
Kukai
Kobo Daishi

Dates:
Born: July 27, 774
Died: 835
Traveled to China: 804
Returned to Japan: 805

Major Works:
Jujushin ron (Ten Stages of Religious Consciousness, 830)

Biography:
Although born into a Confucian household, Kukai exhibited an early interest in Buddhism and would eventually make the study and teaching of Buddhism his life's work. He was especially interested in esoteric Buddhism, a type of Buddhist thought which focuses upon the idea that can achieve actual Buddhahood in their physical body. Unfortunately, there was very little for Kukai to study in Japan so he traveled to China where he studied under the Chinese master of esoteric Buddhism Hui-kuo.

After his return to Japan, Kukai founded a new school of esoteric Buddhism, Shingon. Kukai was convinced that this type of Buddhism was superior to all others and sought to spread it as widely as possible - a difficult task, considering that one of it's central ideas is that its teachings must be passed directly from master to student and cannot be written down or taught to large groups at a time.

Fortunately Kukai was favored by Emperor Saga who gave Kukai Mount Koya as a retreat dedicated solely to the study of esoteric Buddhism. In 832, Kukai was granted control over the imperial Buddhist temple in Kyoto, an important center of Buddhist teaching from which Kukai was able to influence Buddhism throughout Japan. Over time, esoteric Buddhist practices and ceremonies would become central in the Japanese understanding of Buddhism itself.

Also Known As: none

Alternate Spellings: none

Common Misspellings: none

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