The spread of Kukai's life and achievements that introduced ancient yoga to Japan

This great man, known as Kukai and Kobo Daishi, appeared like a brilliant star in Japan in the early Heian period. On July 27, 774, he was born under the name of Saeki no Mao, receiving the blood of the Saeki family, a local influential family in Sanuki Province (present-day Kagawa Prefecture).
From an early age, his intellectual curiosity was extraordinary, and his thirst for knowledge was like a bottomless well 。
At the age of 16, he entered a university dormitory in Heiankyo, where his talent blossomed quickly, and he achieved outstanding academic results and was respected by those around him. However, the path of worldly success - the path to the bureaucracy did not come close to quelling his inner fire.
- Kukai ~ The life and achievements of the giant who introduced ancient yoga to Japan
- Commitment to ordination and the Buddhist path ~ The search for truth
- Encounter with Esoteric Buddhism ~ Journey to the Tang Dynasty and Encounter with Kazuhisa Eka
- Establishment of Shingon Buddhism and the Spread of Esoteric Buddhism ~ New Trends in Japan Buddhism
- Contribution to culture and technology ~ Blossoming of multi-talented talents
- The Teachings of the Buddha ~ Fusion of Theory and Practice
- Relationship between Kukai and Local Communities and Society ~ Spirit of Symbiosis
- Admission ~ To Eternal Enlightenment
- The Legacy of Soul and Wisdom ~ Impact on the Future
- Commitment to ordination and the Buddhist path ~ The search for truth
Kukai ~ The life and achievements of the giant who introduced ancient yoga to Japan

Commitment to ordination and the Buddhist path ~ The search for truth
At the young age of 19, he gave up his career as a bureaucrat and reached a major turning point in his life: ordained. At this time, it was not superficial knowledge that drove him, but a desire for deeper truths.
His deep devotion to Buddhism led him not to settle for easy gratification, but to face his inner self and to the path to true enlightenment. From this time on, he began his path not only as an intellectual, but also as a seeker who sought to grasp the truth through practice and experience.
Encounter with Esoteric Buddhism ~ Journey to the Tang Dynasty and Encounter with Kazuhisa Eka
As Kukai deepened his exploration of Buddhism, he was particularly fascinated by the profound teachings of esoteric Buddhism, especially Shingon esoteric Buddhism. In search of more practical and mystical esoteric teachings, he traveled to the Tang Dynasty (present-day China) in 804.
At that time, the Tang Dynasty was the center of Buddhist culture and a gathering place for many monks and scholars. It was there that he met Kazuhisa Keika, who was a leading expert in esoteric Buddhism. Kazuhisa Eka saw Kukai's extraordinary talent and enthusiasm and generously passed on to him the mysteries of esoteric Buddhism.
At Qinglong Temple in Xi'an, Kukai achieved the historic feat of mastering the core of esoteric Buddhism in just two years and bringing its teachings back to Japan.
This sense of speed was the result of his astonishing intelligence and extraordinary effort, and it shows how much he thirsted for the truth and devoted himself to achieving it.
He did not simply "learn" the teachings, but through his body and mind, which gave him the power to understand their profound meanings and manipulate them at will.
Establishment of Shingon Buddhism and the Spread of Esoteric Buddhism ~ New Trends in Japan Buddhism
In 806, Kukai returned to Japan and began his full-scale activities to spread the teachings of esoteric Buddhism. He founded Kongoboji Temple on Mt. Koya, which became the fundamental dojo of Shingon esoteric Buddhism. The reason why they built the temple deep in the rugged mountains was probably because they wanted a tranquil environment where they could concentrate on their practice, away from the hustle and bustle of the world.
He was also entrusted with the Toji Temple in Kyoto, which became the central dojo of Shingon esoteric Buddhism. Toji Temple, located in the middle of the capital, played an important role in spreading the teachings of esoteric Buddhism to a large number of people.
Kukai not only brought a new Buddhist idea called Shingon Esoteric Buddhism to Japan, but also established its own sect called "Tōmi".
His teachings, unlike traditional Buddhism, contained more practical and mystical elements, which had a great impact on the people of the time. He systematically compiled the doctrines of esoteric Buddhism and wrote a number of works to spread its ideas.
The "Ten Juju Minds" and the "Secret Key to the Heart Sutra" are important texts that are indispensable for understanding his profound thoughts.
These works, although esoteric, became the basis for transmitting the mysteries and doctrines of esoteric Buddhism to the common people and intellectuals of Japan. Kukai aimed not only to convey the teachings, but also to make the teachings deeply penetrate into people's hearts and be understood through practice.
Contribution to culture and technology ~ Blossoming of multi-talented talents
Kukai demonstrated outstanding talents not only as a religious figure, but also as a cultural figure and engineer. He was also known as a very good calligrapher, and his calligraphy is still praised today as the "Three Brushes". In particular, his letter "Fushinsho" is considered to be his masterpiece that embodies his beautiful brushwork and high spirituality, and has attracted many people.
Kukai saw letters not just as a tool for transmitting information, but as a medium for expressing emotions and spirituality, and expressed his inner self through calligraphy.
Also Kukai is also said to have made a significant contribution to the formation of the Hiragana name. This led to the establishment and development of the writing culture of the Japanese language 。
The spread of hiragana made it possible for more people to read and write characters, and it also contributed greatly to the spread of culture. It can be said that Kukai's connection between "writing" and "spirituality" laid the foundation for the intellectual development of the Heian period.
In addition, he showed his keen acumen in the practical field. In the renovation work of Manno Pond in Kagawa Prefecture, he was involved in the introduction of a technology called arched embankment, which was revolutionary at the time, and his achievements are still talked about more than 1,200 years later.
This project was not limited to the development of infrastructure, but also gained the trust of the local community and contributed to the stability of people's lives. Kukai was not just a theorist, but also contributed to enriching people's lives through practice.
As a place of education where anyone can learn, he founded the "Shugei Shuchiin" 。
This The school was considered to be the first private school in Japan for the common people, and aimed to spread knowledge regardless of status or class. At that time, educational opportunities were limited, but Kukai's efforts were very innovative and became the roots of Japan's later educational thought. His enthusiasm for education is not only to pass on knowledge, but also to raise the level of society as a whole, and his contribution to society is immeasurable.
The Teachings of the Buddha ~ Fusion of Theory and Practice
At the heart of the doctrine of Shingon esoteric Buddhism preached by Kukai is the concept of "immediate attainment of Buddhahood." This was a very bold idea at the time, as it was possible to attain the state of Buddha in this world's body through practice.
In order to achieve this, It was necessary to thoroughly harmonize the practice called the "Three Cs," that is, the body (body), the words (mouth), and the mind (intention). Tie a seal (symbolic form) with your hands (intimate), recite a mantra (oral secret), and meditate to unite your spirit with the Buddha (intimacy). Through these practices, we aimed to become one with Dainichi Nyorai.
In addition A special practice called Kokuzo Gumonjiho is also one of the practices popularized by Kukai. This is a rigorous practice of reciting the mantra of the Bodhisattva of the Void a million times, and is aimed at improving wisdom and memory 。
In this process, it is said that one touches a mystical state, and it was expected to bring about spiritual transformation for the practitioner.
Kukai emphasized the importance of promoting self-transformation through practice, not just theory, and showed many people how to do it.
Relationship between Kukai and Local Communities and Society ~ Spirit of Symbiosis
Kukai's influence did not stop at the religious sphere. What he emphasized along with Shingon esoteric Buddhism was "coexistence with society." He aimed for people to practice Buddhist teachings in their daily lives and for society as a whole to develop in harmony.
Especially in the Sanuki region, the name of Kukai is deeply engraved, and the 88 pilgrimages in the Shikoku region gather worship from all over Japan as pilgrimage sites to trace his spiritual remains.
This pilgrimage has not only a Buddhist significance, but also contributes greatly to the development of tourism and culture in the region.
Also Kukai also exchanged opinions with Saicho, the founder of the Tendai sect, and mutually developed Japan Buddhism.
The influence of these two contemporaries left a great mark on later generations, and Buddhist thought also showed the "diversity of thought." They respected each other's positions, worked hard to build a better society, and valued human connections that transcended religious boundaries.
Admission ~ To Eternal Enlightenment
In 835, on Mt. Koya, Kukai met his end in the form of "Nijo". It has the religious meaning of going beyond physical death and attaining eternal enlightenment in meditation.
It is said that his spirit continues to remain in Mt. Koya even after his death, and it is worshipped to this day as a place visited by many pilgrims. His initiation signifies that he has been sublimated into an eternal spiritual being, not just the end of the body, and continues to give hope and courage to many people 。
His achievements and teachings during his lifetime were deeply rooted throughout the country, and in 921 he was awarded the title of "Kobo Daishi". Since then, Kukai's teachings have been passed down through the ages and are recognized as the ultimate form in the fields of religion, philosophy, calligraphy, architecture, and education, not only in Japan but also around the world.
His wide-ranging achievements have deeply impressed future generations, and many people are following in his footsteps and striving to contribute to personal growth and the development of society.
The Legacy of Soul and Wisdom ~ Impact on the Future
The impact left by Kukai is vast. Equity in society, the study of Buddhist philosophy, yoga and meditation as modern spiritual practices, and community connection – these are not just historical legacies, but continue to shine as guides for people living today. His multifaceted influence, which transcends practice and philosophy, can be said to be the foundation of Japan culture.
Learning from Kukai and following the path of embodying his spirit will help us understand the world from a broader perspective and open up the future. His spirit will continue to inspire people through time and be a light that will lead us to a better world.
Following in Kukai's footsteps and learning his teachings will be an essential guidepost not only for our own growth, but also for building a more peaceful and harmonious society.
His legacy is not just an event of the past, but a beacon of the future, and will be the key to unlocking our own inner potential.


