Inori no Mori祈りの杜working title

Wisdom King (myōō)

Fudō Myōō

不動明王ふどうみょうおう

An illustration of Fudō Myōō created for this site
An original illustration made for this site.

In Shingon esoteric Buddhism, Fudō Myōō is regarded as a manifestation of Dainichi Nyorai. Naritasan Shinshōji teaches that he takes on a wrathful form in order to save people from worldly passions (bonnō). His fearsome expression shows a strong compassion that does not abandon people who are lost.

This introduction is based on materials from Shōhōin (Tobi Fudō). It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or practices shared by all schools, temples, and shrines.

English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む

Visit an online temple

Unwavering compassion in a stern form

In Shingon esoteric Buddhism, Fudō Myōō is regarded as a manifestation of Dainichi Nyorai. Naritasan Shinshōji teaches that he takes on a wrathful form in order to save people from worldly passions (bonnō). His fearsome expression shows a strong compassion that does not abandon people who are lost.

Source: 大本山 成田山新勝寺

Prayers to remove misfortune and cut through delusion

Shōhōin explains that Fudō Myōō protects those who have faith in him and dwells within their hearts. The teaching that he cuts through delusion and evil thoughts with the sword of wisdom, and restrains bad intentions with his lasso (kensaku) so that good intentions arise, lies behind the faith in which people entrust him with warding off misfortune (yakuyoke) and their heartfelt wishes.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院

The meaning of the sword, lasso, flames, and rock

In Naritasan's explanation, the sword represents wisdom, the lasso represents salvation, the flames behind him represent the working that burns away worldly passions, and the rock base (banjaku) represents an unshakable mind. Kongara Dōji and Seitaka Dōji, who stand beside him, are also figures who serve Fudō and assist his work.

Source: 大本山 成田山新勝寺・大本山 成田山新勝寺

Mantra (in Japanese, as written in the sources)

なーまくさーまんだーば さらなんせんだ まーかろしゃーな そわたやうんたらた かんまん。

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院

のうまく・さんまんだばざらだん・かん

Source: 真言宗 東光院 一灯庵

のうまく・さんまんだ・ばざらだん・せんだ・まかろしゃだ・そわたや・うんたらた・かんまん

Source: 真言宗 東光院 一灯庵

のうまく・さらばたたぎゃていびゃく・さらばぼっけいびゃく・さらばたたらた・せんだまかろしゃだ・けんぎゃきぎゃき・さらばびきんなん・うんたらた・かんまん

Source: 真言宗 東光院 一灯庵

Shown as written in the Japanese sources. This site does not set how or how many times to recite it.

Related shrines and temples

Related kami and buddhas

Sources (in Japanese)