Seven Days Later - Goshichinichinomishiho

A Buddhist ceremony held at the Imperial Palace. It is also called "Goshichinichimishuho." It is a great, secret Shingon Buddhist ceremony held at the Shingon Temple in the Imperial Palace from January 8th to January 14th to pray for the peace of the Emperor and the prosperity of the nation and its people. It refers to the rituals held on the first seven days followed by the rituals on the second seven days. It was established in 835 (Jowa 2) at the request of Kukai, imitating the customs of the Tang Dynasty in China. The two parts of the Kontai (Kongokai and Taizokai) were held alternately every other year. It was discontinued at the end of the Muromachi period, but was revived in the early Edo period. After the Meiji Restoration, it was transferred to Toji Temple (Kyoogokokuji Temple), and even today it is held at Toji Kanjoin Temple, where the 18 main temples of the Shingon sect gather. It is a contrast between the Gosaie ceremony held in the Daigokuden and the esoteric and esoteric teachings.

[Fukiko Nishiyama]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

宮中で行われた法会(ほうえ)。「ごしちにちみしゅほう」ともいう。正月8日から14日まで、玉体安穏、国利民福を祈って宮中の真言院で修せられた真言秘密の大法会。前七日の神事に続く後七日の修法(しゅほう)の意。835年（承和2）空海の奏請(そうせい)で中国唐の風習に模して設けられた。金胎(こんたい)（金剛界(こんごうかい)、胎蔵界(たいぞうかい)）両部の法を隔年交互に勤修(ごんしゅう)した。室町末期に一度中止されたが、江戸初期に復興した。明治維新後は東寺（教王護国寺）に移行され、現在も真言宗十八本山が集まって東寺灌頂院(かんじょういん)で営まれる。大極殿(だいごくでん)で行われた御斎会(ごさいえ)と顕密(けんみつ)相対する。

［西山蕗子］

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