Inori no Mori祈りの杜working title

Group of figures

Godaison

五大尊ごだいそん

An entry bringing together the five myōō Gōzanze Myōō, Gundari Myōō, Fudō Myōō, Daiitoku Myōō and Kongō Yasha Myōō, arranged by direction.

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 customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.

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

The name and role of the Godaison

An entry bringing together the five myōō Gōzanze Myōō, Gundari Myōō, Fudō Myōō, Daiitoku Myōō and Kongō Yasha Myōō, arranged by direction. Fudō Myōō is placed in the center.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院

Tracing the form and traditions

Gōzanze Myōō is placed in the east, Gundari Myōō in the south, Daiitoku Myōō in the west and Kongō Yasha Myōō in the north, and it is explained that in the Tendai school Ususama Myōō is sometimes placed instead of Kongō Yasha Myōō.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院

The Five Great Myōō, guiding 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 working of Dainichi Nyorai's compassion, which takes wrathful form to save people.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・真言宗総本山 東寺

The makeup differs by school

Shōhōin notes that in the Tendai lineage Ususama Myōō is sometimes placed instead of Kongō Yasha. The Five Great Myōō and the Five Great Strength Bodhisattvas, which derive from a different sutra, each have their own origins, even though they came to be linked in later times.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院

Related shrines and temples

Related kami and buddhas

Sources (in Japanese)