Mrs. Tucker 7th Grade World History/Honors Kukai or Kobo-Daishi Mrs. Tucker 7th Grade World History/Honors

Kukai or Kobo-Daishi Kūkai was a Japanese monk, scholar, writer, and calligrapher. In A.D. 744, Kūkai was born into Japan’s upper class. He did well in school but quit when he was about 16 years old. He became a mendicant or homeless monk. However, his writings show that Kūkai also studied at monasteries during this time. The Shingon or “True Word” School of Buddhism When Kūbai was 31 years old, he went to China on a government –sponsored cultural mission. While he was there, Kū studied with Master Hui-Kuo, the great Buddhist teacher. Kūkai learned Sanskrit, a non-Chinese styleof writing. He also studied Chinese and Sanskrit poetry, and mastered calligraphy, a form of beautiful handwriting. Most important, Kūkai became a master of Shingon Buddhism. Shingon Buddhists meditate, which is the act of thinking deeply about something. They focus their meditations by using Mudra (prayer movements). Mantra (sacred words), and Mandalas (pictures representing the universe). When Kūkai returned to Japan, he began teaching Shingon and Sanskrit. He wrote about 50 religious works, and eventually headed several large temples and their schools. In A.D. 816, the emperor gave Kūkai Mt. Koya for a Monastery. The monastery was not finished until after Kūkai’s death in A.D. 835. However, legend says that Kūkai is not dead, but is meditating on Mt. Koya.