Mikkyō

views updated May 23 2018

Mikkyō (Jap., ‘secret teaching’). Esoteric Buddhism (as opposed to kengyō, ‘exoteric teaching’, all other forms of Buddhist teaching), a Japanese term also for Vajrayāna and Tantric Buddhism. This form of Buddhism came to Japan in the 9th cent. CE, with Saichō (founder of Tendai) and Kūkai (founder of Shingon). Both established monasteries in Kyōto, which became the main centres.

Esoteric Buddhism

views updated May 11 2018

Esoteric Buddhism: see MIKKYŌ; SHINGON;