Gongen (avatar deity)
Zaō Gongen
蔵王権現
Zaō Gongen is the deity who represents the Shugendō of Yoshino and Ōmine. Kinpusen-ji explains that its Zaō triad, as transformation bodies of Shaka, Senju Kannon and Miroku, expresses protection across the past, present and future.
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
Zaō Gongen, who appeared on a mountain of Shugendō
Zaō Gongen is the deity who represents the Shugendō of Yoshino and Ōmine. Kinpusen-ji explains that its Zaō triad, as transformation bodies of Shaka, Senju Kannon and Miroku, expresses protection across the past, present and future.
Source: 金峯山寺
A wrathful form that answered En no Gyōja's prayer
Tradition relates that when En no Gyōja prayed for the salvation of the world, Shaka, Kannon and Miroku appeared. When he sought a power to save a still harsher world, the wrathful Zaō Gongen is said to have appeared. The dynamic form with one leg raised and the vajra are images that convey that power.
Source: 国土交通省 観光庁
Protecting people through the three times
Kinpusen-ji introduces the three figures as buddhas who protect people across the three times. The blue-black bodies and angry expressions are said to be a stern work to save people from suffering, and they are deeply linked with practice in the mountains.
Source: 金峯山寺
Mantra (in Japanese, as written in the sources)
おん ばきりゆ そわか。
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
オン バサラ クシャ アランジャ ウン ソワカ
Source: 吉野山 櫻本坊
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)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：蔵王権現」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 金峯山寺「秘仏ご本尊御開帳の案内（2024年）」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 国土交通省 観光庁「三徳山 蔵王権現」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 吉野山 櫻本坊「金剛蔵王大権現像」（2026-10-19 確認）