Koyasan Shingon Buddhism · Hongakuin
Our Buddhist Lineage
The tradition passed on at Sky Religion
The tradition passed on at Sky Religion
Principal deities
- Sacred Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva
- Tiger-Robed Wisdom King
- Aizen Myo-o
Our purpose
May all who make the Tianguang vow and cultivate profound virtue find freedom from worldly afflictions and kindle the light of clarity.
Roots of the lineage
Koyasan Shingon Buddhism
Resident monastic 李法熙
Background
Ordained at Hongakuin, a Bekkaku Honzan temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism, under its abbot 稻葉法研.
Received the ordination certificate from 長谷部真道, head priest of Kongobuji and chief abbot of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism.
Completed the temple’s transmission and Nanzan Shinryu shomyo chanting under successor and deputy abbot 古賀法顯.
With gratitude to Abbot 稻葉法研 for his guidance and generosity
A Bekkaku Honzan temple on Mount Koya
About Hongakuin
Origins
Twelve hundred years ago, when 弘法大師空海 established the sacred site on Mount Koya, he carved a statue of Jizo Bodhisattva himself. Later, 行空上人 founded Hongakuin where this statue stood. Worship has continued here for a thousand years, making it one of Mount Koya’s oldest temples.
Temple standing
Hongakuin holds Bekkaku Honzan status, ranking after the head temple Kongobuji and the Daihonzan temple Hojuin.
Abbot
39th abbot, Daisojo 稻葉法研
Abbot 稻葉法研 is a highly respected elder of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism.
- Former head of the Buddhist ceremonies department at Kongobuji.
- Teaches Nanzan Shinryu shomyo at Hojuin, the Buddhist liturgical chanting tradition unique to Mount Koya.
- Has served in the Koyasan Shingon religious assembly and now holds the senior advisory position of Shukuro and Shuki Komon Teigakui.
- Served as the 522nd Koyasan Jimu Kengyo Shigyo Hoin (representative of 弘法大師), and upon completing this duty advanced to the Zenkan rank.
Temple treasures
A thousand years of history can be encountered within Hongakuin:
- The principal statue of Fudo Myo-o, attributed to 智證大師圓珍.
- Statues of Jizo Bodhisattva and Aizen Myo-o, carved by 弘法大師空海.
- A Kannon Bodhisattva statue by the Showa-era sculptor 松久宗琳.
- Edo-period ceiling paintings in the main hall, each panel different and still richly colored.
- Sliding-door paintings left in the great hall by Kano-school artists who stayed at the temple during the Edo period.
- Five gardens designed by the Showa-era garden master 重森三玲.
- Daikokuten and Benzaiten, worshipped as part of the Mount Koya Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage.
- A color painting on silk of the acharya 惠果, designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Temple lodging
Shukubo temple lodgings were originally places where monks lived and practiced.
At Hongakuin, guests can stay overnight and join the monks for morning prayers, a practice continued for a thousand years. Experience Ajikan meditation, copy sutras, and enjoy carefully prepared shojin vegetarian cuisine. The quiet surroundings offer time to encounter Buddhist culture and faith.
Records of the lineage
