Deva (ten) or guardian deity
Bodaijushinten
菩提樹神天
At Shōhōin, Bodaijushinten is introduced as a goddess who protects the bodhi tree. It is recorded in the temple's collection of deity names not as a buddha itself but as a heavenly being (tenbu) who protects a sacred tree connected with Buddhism.
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
A goddess who protects the bodhi tree
At Shōhōin, Bodaijushinten is introduced as a goddess who protects the bodhi tree. It is recorded in the temple's collection of deity names not as a buddha itself but as a heavenly being (tenbu) who protects a sacred tree connected with Buddhism.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
What kind of tree is the bodhi tree?
"Bodai" is the Buddhist word for enlightenment. The tree under which Shaka is said to have attained enlightenment is called the bodhi tree (bodaiju). The "bodaiju" in the name Bodaijushinten refers to this tree connected with enlightenment.
Source: 大谷大学・飛不動尊 正宝院
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：菩提樹神天」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 大谷大学「生活の中の仏教用語「菩提」｜一郷正道」（2026-10-16 確認）