Samaya - Shingon Buddhism

Shingon Buddhism

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Buddhism in Japan
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  • Kūkai
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  • Glossary of Japanese Buddhism

In the esoteric lineage of Japanese Shingon Buddhism, the Samaya precedes the Abhiseka initiation ceremony proper. The initiate undertakes four precepts:

  1. Never to abandon the True Dharma.
  2. Never to negate bodhicitta.
  3. Never to withhold or be selective of Buddhist teachings toward others.
  4. Never to cause any sentient being any harm.

The first recorded taking of the Samaya precepts at Todaiji temple began in 822 when Kukai performed the Abhiseka ritual before the abdicated emperor, Heizei, and helped to establish Shingon Buddhism as a legitimate school in Japan.

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