Sharikai

The "Five-Letter" in Five-Letter Mañjuśrī refers to the five letters of his mantra, "A RA HA SHA NO." As the embodiment of prajñā (wisdom), he is widely revered in Japan for bestowing the virtues of expanding knowledge and academic achievement.A portion of the proceeds...

This practice is performed for the prevention of calamities, but it is particularly performed for the expiation of the sins of the deceased. The sutras state: "Even if one has committed ten evil deeds, five moral transgressions, or four grave sins in the past,...

This practice is performed to protect against calamities, ensure safe childbirth, cure illnesses, and prolong life.The Manual of Twelve Devas states: "When Yama Deva is pleased, people are not killed, do not die in accidents, and epidemics do not spread. When this deity is...

This practice method is the general rule for performing Deva practices in the Chuin-ryu tradition. However, its content is based on the Hisho of the Samboin-ryu. Since the Chuin-ryu incorporates many practice methods from the Samboin-ryu in this way, you must study the Samboin-ryu...

This practice is performed for the protection from calamities and the prolongation of life. Jīvita means life, and this deity refers to Vajrasattva in the state of Jīvita samādhi. It is also said to be another name for Vajrasattva. While there are two views...

Maitreya Bodhisattva will be reborn in this world from Tuṣita 5.67 billion years after the Buddha's passing, and will save those remaining after the Buddha through three teachings.Maitreya Bodhisattva is particularly revered in Shingon Buddhism. It is said that after Kōbō Daishi entered nirvana,...

This practice is performed for reverence and love. Rāga signifies the Buddhas' love for sentient beings. This deity is depicted in red because deep love for sentient beings causes the body to flush crimson. This practice is a secret teaching even within the Shingon...

This practice method is performed for the prevention of calamities, the increase of wealth, and the accumulation of merit. "Vaiśravaṇa" means "he who hears much. " This deva was named thus because he constantly protected the Buddha and listened to his teachings. The sutras...

This practice method is performed to pray for rain during prolonged droughts, or during solar and lunar eclipses. Because Mount Kōya is located high in the mountains, there have been many instances of rain-praying rituals performed there since ancient times. It is said that...

This practice is performed to protect from calamities, prolong life, eliminate sins, and increase prosperity. The "Sa" in Saddharma Puṇḍarīka means "supreme," "dharma" means 'law' or "principle," and "Puṇḍarīka" refers to a flower; together, they signify that the most excellent of all dharmas blossoms....

Since this practice method is a secret teaching, it must never be transmitted to disciples who have not received abhiṣeka. Gaṇapati, also known as Vināyaka, is traditionally regarded as a deity who brings obstacles. The term Gaṇapati means "leader of the group" and also...

This practice is performed to prevent calamities and increase prosperity. While it is largely identical to the practice method of Śākyamuni, there are differences, such as the Empowerment of the Main Deity.Since people after the Buddha could no longer see his physical form, upon...

This volume is the final one of the Sanju-San-Zon Ho (三十三尊法).This practice is performed on the day of the new moon or during the three days following the new moon to protect from misfortune and increase prosperity. It is important to perform this practice...

This practice method is performed for the protection from calamities and the subjugation. SOMBA (Śumbha) and NISOMBA (Niśumbha) in the mantra of this deity are its alternative names. The name Trailokyavijaya, where Trailokya means the three worlds, is interpreted in esoteric Buddhism as the...

Avalokiteśvara signifies one who observes all phenomena without hindrance and with complete freedom, and who observes all sentient beings and saves them with complete freedom. Within Buddhism, this deity is the most widely revered, and there is likely no other deity that surpasses this...

The name Nyoirin known in Sanskrit as Cintāmaṇicakra is derived from two sacred objects held in the deity's hands: the Cintāmaṇi and the chakra. Cintāmaṇi: A mystical jewel that produces treasures at will and grants the sincere desires of sentient beings.Chakra: A wheel that...

Cundī, also known as Cundī Buddhamātṛ, is revered as a deity for fertility, safe childbirth, and family harmony, as she is considered the mother who gives birth to countless Buddhas.Cundī is deeply connected to the founding of Mount Koya by Kōbō Daishi Kūkai. Kūkai...

The worship of Ekadaśamukha Avalokiteśvara in Japan began in the Nara period, making it very ancient. Many statues of Ekadaśamukha Avalokiteśvara were created to pray for worldly benefits such as healing from illness.Following Avalokiteśvara himself, statues of this form were created in large numbers....

Hayagrīva represents the virtue in the Lotus Family that destroys defilements. Just as a starving horse among animals is utterly absorbed in eating grass, this Avalokiteśvara is deeply compassionate toward sentient beings, utterly absorbed in consuming their ignorance. Furthermore, as this deity is also...

Pāṇḍaravāsinī is one of the thirty-three manifestations of Avalokiteśvara, representing the pure bodhicitta. She is widely venerated not only in Esoteric Buddhism but also in Zen Buddhism. Particularly in Zen, due to this deity's pure form, she is frequently depicted as a symbol of...

Sahasrabhuja Avalokiteśvara is the manifestation of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva's great compassion, saving all sentient beings without exception through a thousand arms and a thousand eyes.The thousand arms represent the ability to offer salvation tailored to each sentient being's circumstances, while the thousand eyes symbolize the...