Disciple or founding teacher
Ryūju Bosatsu
龍樹菩薩
Ryūju is an Indian scholar-monk also known by the name Nāgārjuna, and in Japan he is revered as a bodhisattva. Shōhōin introduces him as the founder of many schools, and in the Shingon school as well he is placed as one of the patriarchs who transmitted the teaching. There is his figure as a historical scholar-monk, and there are later traditions.
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
Ryūju, who transmitted the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism
Ryūju is an Indian scholar-monk also known by the name Nāgārjuna, and in Japan he is revered as a bodhisattva. Shōhōin introduces him as the founder of many schools, and in the Shingon school as well he is placed as one of the patriarchs who transmitted the teaching. There is his figure as a historical scholar-monk, and there are later traditions.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・金剛峯寺
The sound of Esoteric Buddhism heard from inside an iron stupa
Kongōbu-ji relates the story that Ryūju heard a melody flowing from an iron stupa in southern India and came to know the truth of Esoteric Buddhism. This is a tradition telling the origin of how the teachings of Esoteric Buddhism and shōmyō chanting were handed down, and it differs from a travel diary recording historical journeys.
Source: 金剛峯寺
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：龍樹菩薩」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 金剛峯寺「密教芸術」（2026-10-15 確認）