Bodhisena - Bodhisena

An Indian monk who naturalized in Japan during the Nara period. He was of Brahmin class. His Sanskrit name is Bodhisena, transliterated. He is also written as Bodhisena, translated as Kakugun, and called Brahmin Sojo. He traveled to China after being inspired by the spirit of Manjusri Bodhisattva of Mount Wutai, and in 733 (Tenpyo 5) he came to Japan with Buttetsu from Linyu (present-day southern Vietnam) and Chinese monk Dosen at the request of Tang envoy Tajihi no Mahito Hironari (?-739) and others. He arrived in Dazaifu, Tsukushi in 736. He lived at Daian-ji Temple in Nara, where he recited the Kegon Sutra and performed incantations. In 751 (Tenpyo Shoho 3), he became a monk, and the following year, in 752, he became the chief priest for the consecration ceremony for the Great Buddha of Todai-ji Temple. He died at the age of 57 in the fourth year of Tenpyo Hoji. His grave is at Ryozen-ji Temple.

[Tamura Kosuke December 12, 2016]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

奈良時代に日本へ帰化したインド僧。婆羅門(ばらもん)階級の出身。サンスクリット名ボディセーナBodhisenaの音写。菩提仙那とも書かれ、覚軍と訳され、婆羅門僧正(そうじょう)とよばれた。五台山文殊菩薩(もんじゅぼさつ)の神霊に感応して中国に渡り、さらに733年（天平5）遣唐使多治比真人広成(たじひのまひとひろなり)（？―739）らの要請によって林邑(りんゆう)国（現、ベトナム南部）の仏哲(ぶってつ)、中国僧道璿(どうせん)と来日した。736年筑紫大宰府(つくしだざいふ)に着く。奈良の大安寺に住し、『華厳(けごん)経』を諷誦(ふじゅ)し呪術(じゅじゅつ)を行った、という。751年（天平勝宝3）僧正となり、翌752年、東大寺大仏開眼供養(かいげんくよう)の導師となる。天平宝字(てんぴょうほうじ)4年、57歳で死去した。霊山寺に墓がある。

［田村晃祐　2016年12月12日］

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