Daishi faith - Daishishinko

Japanese: 大師信仰 - だいししんこう

The belief in the founders and high priests of various sects, such as Kobo Daishi, Ganzan Daishi, and Zendo Daishi, is lumped together as Daishi faith because it is said that at the base of all of these is the belief that a child of a god or a wandering god appears in a village as an Oiko (Great Child). This tendency is particularly strong in Kobo Daishi. Kobo Daishi (Kukai) is the founder of Shingon Buddhism, but there are still many unknowns about his biography. In particular, his period of training is unknown, so there have been many legends since ancient times of Kobo Daishi appearing in various places and performing miracles.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

弘法大師，元三（がんざん）大師，善導大師など各宗派の祖や高僧に対する信仰をさすが，大師信仰として一括されるのは，これらの基底にオオイコ(大子)として神の子や遊行の神が村に現れるとする信仰があるとされるからである。この傾向はとくに弘法大師に強い。　弘法大師(空海)は真言宗の祖であるわけだが，伝記については，まだ不明の部分がある。とくに修行時代は不明なので，古くから弘法大師が各地に現れて，奇跡を行ったとする伝説は多い。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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