Hierarchy classification:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Associated Concepts Facet
3. Associated Concepts (hierarchy name)
4. [religions and religious concepts]
5. religions (belief systems, cultures)
6. Buddhism
7. Japanese Buddhism

Anotations

Scope note:

A Japanese school of esoteric and mystical Buddhism which was brought to Japan from China in 806 by Kukai. A key text of Shingon is Kukai's 'Jewel Key to the Store of Mysteries (Hizoboyaku)' in which spiritual attainment through Shingon is seen as fulfilling nine other spiritual paths found in Buddhism and other religions. Shingon places importance on the Vairocana Buddha, the Buddha of infinite light, and on mandalas and other forms of sculpture and painting. There are over forty schools of Shingon in Japan today and aspects of Shingon have been adopted by other forms of Japanese Buddhism as well.