What is Shugendo? A Simple Introduction 

Shugendo (修験道) is a Dharma tradition characterised by combinatory ritual-practice and mountain-asceticism. At its basic level, Shugendo refers to a path of cultivation and the testimony of wakefulness.

Buddha-Dharma is concerned with clear comprehension in regards to the nature of reality, and with addressing epistemological errors which lead to the specific kinds of suffering and dis-ease captured by the term duḥkha. Among the various doorways and vehicles of the Buddha-Dharma, Shugen can be said to be an expression of the Mahāyāna conception of the One Vehicle, orientated towards the cultivation of the Bodhisattva path, built upon the bedrock of what can be referred to as ancient and premodern mountain-thought, recontextualised into skillful-means.

Shugendo's defining method of skillful-means is based around periodic retreats and unique practices involving the ritual entering of mountains and valleys. Shugen can be said to possess, in the words of Riten Tanaka, a glocal outlook, combining both global/universal and localised/particular approaches to doctrine, faith and practice. 

Another important aspect of Shugendo is that it is a tradition orientated towards the householder, though paths into ordination (tokudō) and initiation (abhiṣeka) do also exist. For these practitioners, periodic retreat is complimented and deepened through the practice of ritual (sādhanā) taught in the context of the teacher-student relationship. These include various altar practices, such as homa and puja.

Due to Shugen's historical intertwining with esoteric-Buddhism, consecration (abhiṣeka), ritual-practice and the direct teacher-disciple relationship are considered paramount. The esoteric approach and viewpoint  - an expression of the Mahāyāna orientation - is characterised by yoga; practices of the three-mysteries and the principal image.

Questions are welcome. Find further introductions here. 

— ubasoku | what is shugendo?