Gundari Myōō

The name and role of Gundari Myōō

Gundari Myōō appears in the list of the Godaison and is described as the myōō in charge of the south among the Five Great Myōō. The source records that the original buddhas are said to be Kanzeon Bosatsu and Hōshō Nyorai, and that Gundari Myōō is also called 大咲明王, Kirikiri Myōō and Kanro Myōō.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院

Tracing the form and the traditions

The form has three eyes and eight arms, with twelve snakes coiled around the legs, neck and arms. It is explained that Gundari Myōō removes various obstacles with the nectar (kanro) from a vase filled with it, and the seed syllable is given as "ūn".

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院

The Five Great Myōō, who guide people in stern forms

The Five Great Myōō are a group with Fudō at the center and Gōzanze, Gundari, Daiitoku and Kongō Yasha arranged around him. Tō-ji explains them as the work of Dainichi Nyorai's compassion taking a wrathful form to save people.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・真言宗総本山 東寺

The membership differs by school

Shōhōin notes that in the Tendai tradition, Ususama Myōō is sometimes placed instead of Kongō Yasha. The Five Great Myōō and the Godairiki Bosatsu, who come from a different sutra, also each have their own origins, even though they became connected in later times.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院

Related kami and buddhas

• Shō Kanzeon Bosatsu (Shō Kannon)聖観世音菩薩
• Hōshō Nyorai宝生如来
• Godaison五大尊