KDZ - Shugendou

From Heian until the end of Kamakura period of the history of Japan, in the mountains surrounding Nara Prefecture lived people who were descendants of noblemen and warriors who escaped the civil wars in Kyoto. They were ascetics called "Yamabushi" or "Shugenja", who practiced the mystic religious rites and acquired almost super-human skills in martial-arts by hard training amidst the mountains.

Shugendou, literally means "the Path of Training and Testing," and is based on the self-actualization of spiritual power in experiential form through challenging and rigorous ritualistic tests of courage and devotion known as "SHUGO".

For more reference, click HERE: www.shugendo.fr/en/node/10


++ AzureKnight2008's Notes ++

To avoid confusion, the followings are some details related to KDZ story and thus worthy of remembrance from the page:

1) Enno Ozunu was the founder of Shugendou - a form of ascetic training amidst the mountains. The great Bodhisattva was born in Katsuragi on the border of Nara and Osaka, where the Guardian Village is located in KDZ story.

2) Mount Oonime is in the south of Nara, where inhabitants are the Yamabushi or Shugenja [Mountain Priests/Samurais] of whom in KDZ story, Goki has been the Supreme Leader & Protector entrusted by Master Ozunu.

3) From the beginning, Zenki is closely related to Zaou Gongen the Wrathful - the most powerful divinity of Shugendou. Zaou Gongen is also called Vajragarbha. VAJRA-ON-ARK! Yes! That's Zenki! And Vajragarbha's associated with "DIAMOND LIGHTNING" - the accurate translation of Zenki's RUDRA. In following this, there's another revered divinity whose characteristics the Red Lord also shares. Stay tuned for future posts!

4) Next, Goki is undoubtedly connected to Vidyaraja Acalanantha [Fudou Myou] - the GREATEST of the FIVE Kings of Wisdom worshiped in Shugendou! What's more? Acalanantha can transform himself into a dragon, and as Goki possesses the Dragon Staff and controls the Light Dragon himself, you wouldn't find more striking resemblances between them! The Immovable Dragon Staff is called "Fudou Ryuu Kon" in Japanese syllabary, and Fudou means "Immovable", so Fudou Myou-ou means "Immovable Wisdom King". Also, the word RAJA in this divinity's surname is related to "RAJAS" - always said by Zenki after he's transformed into the Demon God of Light thanks to the power of Goki.



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