World Heritage Site in Japan / Koyasan Part-5 / Was Kobo Daishi (Kukai) (774-835) an architect?!

In the back of this photograph, "Okunoin",

there is Kobo Daishi (Kukai) is resting in peace.

*The back area is photography prohibited.

 

Do you know what Kobo Daishi (Kukai) (774-835) did?

Beside he made Kongobuji Temple on such high mountains

which are very isolated from the city

so everyone could concentrate on Buddhist training

such as meditation and reading sutras,

he also did several other astounding achievements.

I would like to introduce some of his achievements.

 

 

In 804, he went to China to study abroad.

He learned everything about esoteric Buddhism in only 2 years

which was such a short time for anyone to learn esoteric Buddhism.

 

After he returned to Japan, he founded Shingon Buddhism

and taught people what he learned in China

with easier words so people in Japan understood it easily.

 

He also made a university called Shugei Shchiin.

He made a significant change in Japanese education system

that he let anyone regardless ones’ social classes and/or status study there.

 

The things he learned in China was not only religion, he also studied construction.

He gained construction skills

that he renovated Manno pond in Kochi Prefecture,

which is the largest pond in Japan for farming.

 

Establishing a temple on such high mountains, I find that astonishing.

And top of that, he started a university, conducted construction work

and several other achievements.

It amazes me how he is unbelievably active
and incredibly intelligent to achieve all those things.

He is a great role model for me as well.

 

 

T.F