One of the most important religious historical figures in Japan is Kobo Daishi, the posthumous name of the priest Kukai. He was born in Zentsu-ji City in 774 in Sanuki, now the prefecture of Kagawa on Shikoku Island. Though he is best known as the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, he is attributed with many other incredible feats of scholarship and engineering. Not only did Kobo Daishi compose 50 religious commentaries and writings, but he also developed the Japanese kana system of syllabic writing and started the first Japanese dictionary.
Kobo Daishi Path (photo: Akuppa/flickr)
Kobo Daishi spent many years traveling and meditating as an independent monk, and now pilgrims follow his path in the 88-temple pilgrimage on Shikoku. He also went abroad to China and studied at the Chang’an Qinglong Monastery, where he was ordained after learning the esoteric knowledge guarded there. He returned to Japan and worked at the prestigious Todai-ji in Nara and helped advise and pray for several emperors.
Kobo Daishi at Temple 16 (Kanonji 観音寺) (photo: turnerw82/flickr)
In 816 he was granted permission to use Mt. Koya as a private retreat, but was continually summoned to perform various tasks. One of them was to build the Manno Reservoir in Sanuki, which to this day is the largest irrigation reservoir in Japan. Kobo Daishi was credited with many supernatural feats around this time.
Kobo Daishi at Temple 19 (Tatsueji 立江寺) (photo: turnerw82/flickr)
In 835, at the age of 62, he grew ill and was buried at Okunoin in Koya-san. His body was not cremated as is the usual custom, instead it is attended by high-level monks. It is said that Kobo Daishi did not really die, but is in deep meditation as he waits the arrival of the Miroku Nyorai Buddha, the Buddha of the future. Followers believe that he helps those who come to him in prayer.
