Sacred treasure - Shobo

A Shingon Buddhist monk in the Heian period. Founder of Daigoji Temple. Born in Kyoto. Became a monk under Kukai's disciple Shinga, and studied Sanron, Hosso, and Kegon Buddhism at various temples before returning to Shinga's room to study Shingon Buddhism. In 880 (Gangei 4), he studied under Shinzen (804/812-891) at Mount Koya, and in 887 (Ninna 3), he became an ajari under Gennin (818-887) at Toji Temple. He was inspired by the story of En no Ozunu and spent his days climbing mountains, crossing rivers, and practicing ascetic practices in the mountains and fields, thus establishing the foundations of Shugendo, hence the name "Daigoji Temple of Shugendo." The Shingon sect is largely divided into the Ono and Hirosawa schools, and the Ono school was spread by his disciple Kangen, so Shoho is revered as its founder. He was later given the title of Rigen Daishi.

[Yukei Hirai August 21, 2017]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

平安時代の真言(しんごん)宗の僧。醍醐寺(だいごじ)の開祖。京都の人。空海の高弟真雅(しんが)の下で出家し、諸寺に三論(さんろん)宗、法相(ほっそう)宗、華厳(けごん)宗を学び、ふたたび真雅の室(むろ)に戻って真言宗を学ぶ。880年（元慶4）高野山(こうやさん)の真然(しんぜん)（804／812―891）に学び、887年（仁和3）には東寺(とうじ)の源仁(げんにん)（818―887）につき阿闍梨(あじゃり)となる。役小角(えんのおづぬ)の故事を慕って、日ごろ山に登り川を渡り山野に苦行修練して、修験道(しゅげんどう)の基礎を築いたので、「修験道の醍醐寺」といわれる。真言宗の法流には大きく分けて小野(おの)流と広沢(ひろさわ)流があるが、小野流は、彼の弟子観賢(かんげん)から広まったので、聖宝はその祖師と仰がれる。のちに理源大師(りげんだいし)の号を賜る。

［平井宥慶　2017年8月21日］

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