Deva (ten) or guardian deity
Kongara Dōji
矜羯羅童子
Kongara Dōji belongs to the Eight Great Dōji and is described as a representative dōji among the messengers of Fudō.
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 Kongara Dōji
Kongara Dōji belongs to the Eight Great Dōji and is described as a representative dōji among the messengers of Fudō. Kongara Dōji is usually placed on Fudō's right side and forms a pair with Seitaka Dōji. The name is also written 緊迦羅.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Tracing the form and the traditions
The original buddha is said to be Kanzeon Bosatsu. Kongara Dōji is introduced in a form wearing a lotus crown like Fudō, and holding a tokkosho (single-pronged vajra) in the joined palms.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Eight dōji who serve Fudō Myōō
The Eight Great Dōji are a group of followers who attend Fudō Myōō. Shōhōin names eight: Ekō, Eki, 阿耨達, 指徳, 烏倶婆我, 清浄比丘, Kongara and Seitaka. The explanations of each dōji's form and original buddha are based on that iconographic line.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Statues of the Eight Great Dōji also handed down at Kōyasan
The Kōyasan Reihōkan introduces the statues of the Eight Great Dōji handed down at Kongōbu-ji. The dōji depicted in paintings and sculpture show that faith in the followers who assist Fudō's salvation has been handed down in many forms.
Source: 高野山霊宝館
Mantra (in Japanese, as written in the sources)
おん だるま こんがら ちしゅた さら。
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Shown as written in the Japanese sources. This site does not set how or how many times to recite it.
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：矜羯羅童子」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：八大童子」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 高野山霊宝館「第34回高野山大宝蔵展：高野山の名宝」（2026-10-15 確認）