Teachings
Kakuban wrote many works elaborating on the foundational teachings of Kūkai, as well as existing rituals at the time, however he also introduced a new ritual called the himitsu nembutsu (秘密念仏, esoteric nembutsu?). Kakuban, in keeping with Shingon thought, felt that the regular nembutsu used in Pure Land Buddhist practices contained esoteric elements as well. In the Amida Hisshaku (阿弥陀秘釈, The Esoteric Meaning of Amida?), he describes each of the syllables of the nembutsu, their underlying esoteric meaning, and the important symbolism of breath as life, and as a means of recitation.
Similarly, he analyzed mantras related to Amitabha Buddha in the Shingon tradition, in order to discover their hidden meanings.
Read more about this topic: Kakuban
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