K?KAI

K?kai (774–835) was a ninth-century Japanese figure renowned for his introduction of esoteric Buddhism into early Heian society. In his youth K?kai studied Confucianism and Chinese literature at Daigaku, the state college. But he soon dropped out of Daigaku and joined a throng of privately ordained priests and nuns (shido s?), and he avidly trained in Buddhism. In 804, at age thirty-one, K?kai hastily received official ordination and was chosen to be part of the Japanese diplomatic mission to Tang China. Under the guidance of Master Huikou (746–805) of Qinglongsi in the capital city of Chang'an, K?kai studied a system of esoteric Buddhism grounded in the Mah?vairocana-s?tra (Japanese, Dainichiky?) and the Tattvasa?graha or Vajra?ekhara-s?tra (or Tantra; Japanese, Kong?ch?ky?). Shortly after Huikou's death, K?kai returned to Japan, carrying with him over 210 new Buddhist scriptures.

K?kai was the first to invent a paradigm for separating esoteric and exoteric Buddhism (Ben kenmitsu niky?ron) and then to understand their complementary relationship (Hannya shingy? hiken, Himitsu mandara j?j?shinron). K?kai's creation of a theory of ritual language (Sh?ji jiss?gi, Unjigi) enabled the early Heian clergy to achieve integration between their textual studies and ritual practices, and accelerated their adoption of esoteric Buddhism. K?kai also founded the Latter Seven-Day rite (Goshichinichi mishih?), the New Year esoteric Buddhist ceremony at the palace, and the ritual service aimed at legitimating the Japanese ruler as a cakravartin (wheel-turning monarch). K?kai's ritual initiated the rapid integration of esoteric Buddhist rites into the ceremonies of the royal court, a process that led to the rise of Buddhism as the dominant ideology of the state. In medieval Japan, K?kai became one of the most popular Buddhist saints; he was worshiped as a savior who lived on in his seat of endless meditation on Mount K?ya.

See also:Exoteric-Esoteric (Kenmitsu) Buddhism in Japan; Shingon Buddhism, Japan

Bibliography

Abé, Ry?ichi. "Saich? and K?kai: Conflict of Interpretations." Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 22 (1995): 1–2.

Abé, Ry?ichi. The Weaving of Mantra. New York: Columbia University Press, 1999.

Groner, Paul. Saich?: The Establishment of Japanese Tendai School. Berkeley: Center for South and Southeast Asian Studies, University of California at Berkeley, 1984.

Hakeda, Yoshito. K?kai: Major Works. New York: Columbia University Press, 1976.

Ry?ichi Ab?