Shingon

Introduction to Shingon Buddhism

Shingon Buddhism is based on the teachings transmitted by Kobo Daishi as he learned them from his religious master, Hui-kuo. They provide a plan for living in this world and for undertaking the quest for Enlightenment.

Some of Shingon doctrine is only available to a committed student, properly instructed by a qualified teacher. But much is freely available in English language publications. See the Sources page for details.

The Two Basic Sutras of Shingon

Shingon is based primarily on two Buddhist texts, the Mahavairocana Sutra (Japanese Dainichi-kyo) and the Vajrasekhara Sutra (Japanese Kongocho-kyo). They were probably written in the latter 7th century. But each represents the culmination of a long tradition of the development of Buddhist philosophy, especially the traditions referred to as esoteric Buddhism (Japanese mikkyo) that date to the 2nd century.

These two sutras were brought to China at the beginning of the 8th century, but it wasn't until the end of that century that Hui-kuo developed a set of teachings based on a recognition of the essential oneness of the teachings of the two. In this view, the Dainichi-kyo teaches the fundamental doctrines of Shingon while the Kongo-cho-kyo teaches the practical aspects of becomming a Buddha in this body. The Dainichi-kyo contains one of the most quoted of all Shingon teachings:

"How do we become enlightened? It is by knowning our own mind as it truly is."