Shugendō is a religion that originated in Japan during the Nara Period. It combines beliefs, philosophies, doctrines, and ritual systems from local folk religions, Shinto mountain worship, and Buddhism. Shugendō is a highly syncretic religion and is considered a body of ascetic practices. The goal of Shugendō is for practitioners to find supernatural power and save themselves and others by conducting religious training while walking through steep mountain ranges. Those who practice Shugendō are called Shugenja or Yamabushi, which means "Mountain Prostrator". The practice of Shugendō takes place on mountains all over Japan, including various mountains in the Ōmine mountain range, such as Mount Hakkyō and Mount Ōmine.
The Shugendō worldview incorporates a vast array of deities, including figures from both Buddhism and Shintoism. Two significant figures are the tantric Buddhist deities of Fudō Myōō and Dainichi Nyorai. Gongen is another essential figure in Shugendō, referring to the manifestation of Buddhas as Japanese Kami. One of the most significant Gongen in Shugendō is Zaō Gongen..
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Three Mountains of Dewa
Mountain worship
Milarepa
Mount Hiei
Onmyōdō
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A Look at Japanese Ascetic Practice
Head Temple Takao-san Yakuo-in Central Shugendo Training Center in Kanto
天台寺門宗｜修験道
Shugen: The Autumn Peak of Haguro Shugendo
Mount Fuji and Shugendo
Shugendo article in Buddhism & Shinto in Japan: A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Religious Sculpture & Art Shugendo - History of Japan Database Japanese words and phrases Religion in Japan Articles containing Japanese-language text Shugendo Pages with unreviewed translations Mountain faith