Publication details
Jednota v odlišnostiach: Kúkai a raný ezoterický buddhizmus v období Heian
| Title in English | Unity in Diversity: Kukai and early esoteric Buddhism in the Heian period |
|---|---|
| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2009 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Studia Orientalia Slovaca |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Philosophy and religion |
| Keywords | Nara period Buddhism; esoteric Buddhism; Kukai; Shingon |
| Description | Unity in Diversity: Kukai and early esoteric Buddhism in the Heian period deals with the introduction and initial establishment of esoteric Buddhism in Japan, as it was imported and presented by Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school of esoteric Buddhism. Kukai had to distinguish mikkyo, the esoteric teachings, from the exoteric teachings of the Six Nara schools, yet not separate and alienate himself from the Nara schools. The traditional discourse presents the Heian period Buddhism of Kukai and Saicho, founder of the Tendai school, as two pioneers in importing a foreign teaching to Japan and establishing two distinct Japanese schools. The aim of this paper is to present his esotericism in a somewhat varied perspective, as a teaching of Buddhism that contributed greatly to the theretofore existing Nara Buddhist establishment and hence establishing a tradition of unity and continuity in Japanese Buddhism. |