Vajrayana or Esoteric Buddhist and its attendant pantheon of deities and secret, mystical rituals, was introduced to Japan in the early Heian period (after 794) by a number of Japanese priests.

What if the rain and sun could be summoned by a whisper or a prayer? In Japan, this isn’t just wishful ... Read more The post ...

Why did these monks in Japan choose to mummify themselves? The sacred mountains of Yamagata are home to 13 sokushinbutsu, who are believed to be in a state of deep meditation between life and death.

Incorporating Hindu gods into Japanese culture, they are worshipped alongside Japanese deities in a combination of Shintoism and Buddhism.

Japan's Shinto belief system is not an organized religion, but rather a collection of beliefs and practices centered around the natural world and ancestry. Though it was originally not an image−based ...

Indian deities and their Japanese counterparts Did you know that the Hindu God Shiva is known as Daijizaiten in Japanese Buddhism? Or that Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is revered as ...

Why are there Buddhas hidden in some Shinto shrines? Why do temples and shrines often share the same grounds? These sacred spaces have a compelling history.

A recent post titled 'Indian Gods in Japan' has garnered immense attraction as it talks about how Indian gods and goddesses have had a significant influence on Japanese Buddhism.

The Seven Lucky Gods usher in good fortune in the new year in Japan. Among them, Hotei plays the most prominent role, for he is considered not just a lucky god, but also a buddha.

Or are they? For most of Japan’s history, Shinto and Buddhism existed as one belief system. Shinto is pantheistic and allows for belief in many different gods. When Buddhism arrived, the new gods ...