Invitation - Kanjo

To ask the Buddha to preach the law or to live in this world for a long time. There are many examples, such as when Shakyamuni (Shaka) attained enlightenment and asked Brahma (Boten) to come and preach the law, or in the seventh of the ten great vows of Fugen Bosatsu (Fugen Bosatsu), to ask the Buddha to stay in this world for a long time. Later, it became one of the five types of Bodhisattva's repentance (Metzaisange) to atone for sins. In Japan, it also means to ask for divine oracles from gods and Buddhas, or to invite and enshrine the spirits or images of gods and Buddhas. In the Middle Ages, the spirits of the deities enshrined at Hiyoshi Sanno Shrine, Hachiman Shrine, Gion Shrine, Tenman Shrine, and other famous shrines were invited throughout the country. These gods were called 'Kanjou-gami', but it can also refer to gods who are invited to the altar temporarily for festivals. Furthermore, when someone who is not the actual founder is appointed as the founder, it is called "kanjo-kaisan."

[Tamura Kosuke]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

仏に勧めて、法を説いたり、世に久しく住することを請うこと。釈迦(しゃか)が悟りを得たとき梵天(ぼんてん)がきて法を説くことを請い願ったり、あるいは普賢菩薩(ふげんぼさつ)の十大願の第七に、仏がこの世に長くとどまることを請い願うなど、多くの用例がある。のちに菩薩の五種の滅罪懺悔(めつざいさんげ)の法（五悔）の一つともなった。日本では、神仏の神託を請うこと、神仏の霊や形像を招請し奉安することをもいう。中世、日吉山王(ひえさんのう)社、八幡(はちまん)宮、祇園(ぎおん)社、天満(てんまん)宮、そのほか有名神社の祭神の分霊は、全国に勧請された。こうした神は勧請神といわれたが、祭りのために臨時に祭壇に招請される神をさす場合もある。さらに実際に開山でない人を開山にあてるのを勧請開山という。

［田村晃祐］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例