shingon
Proper noun A major school of Vajrayana (Esoteric) Buddhism in Japan, founded in the early 9th century by Kūkai (posthumously known as Kōbō Daishi). It emphasizes the use of mystical symbolism, sacred sounds (mantras), ritual hand gestures (mudras), and visualizations to enable practitioners to attain enlightenment in this very body by realizing their inherent Buddha nature, which is considered inexpressible through ordinary language.
Shingon is used as the name of this specific Buddhist tradition. It functions as a proper noun and is typically not pluralized. * Shingon is one of the few surviving esoteric Buddhist lineages. * He has practiced Shingon Buddhism for over a decade. * The temple belongs to the Shingon sect.
- The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) to describe related concepts, rituals, or objects.
- Shingon rituals are known for their complexity.
- She studies Shingon iconography.
- In academic or comparative religious contexts, Shingon is often discussed in relation to other Buddhist schools like Tendai, Zen, or Tibetan Buddhism.
- Shingon-shū (noun): The Japanese term meaning "Shingon School" or "Shingon Sect," often used interchangeably with "Shingon."
- Mikkyō (noun): The Japanese term for "esoteric teachings," which is the category of Buddhism that Shingon represents. Shingon is a form of Mikkyō.
- Kūkai / Kōbō Daishi (proper noun): The founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan.
As a proper noun, "Shingon" refers specifically to this Japanese Buddhist school. It does not have other common meanings in English. The word itself is derived from the Chinese "Zhenyan," meaning "true word," a translation of the Sanskrit "mantra."
There are no direct synonyms for the proper noun "Shingon." It can be described as: * A school of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism. * A Vajrayana Buddhist tradition in Japan.
There are no common English idioms containing the word "Shingon." However, central concepts within Shingon practice include: * Sokushin jōbutsu (即成仏): "Attaining Buddhahood in this very body," a core doctrine of Shingon. * Sanmitsu (三密): "The Three Mysteries" of body (mudra), speech (mantra), and mind (mandala visualization), through which a practitioner aligns with the Buddha.
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a form of Buddhism emphasizing mystical symbolism of mantras and mudras and the Buddha's ideal which is inexpressible
