地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Kukai – Kobo Daishi

The Buddhist priest Kukai (774–835) is considered the founder of the Shikoku Pilgrimage and is a figure pilgrims will encounter repeatedly as they make their way around the 88-temple circuit. Born into the aristocratic Saeki family in Sanuki Province (present-day Kagawa Prefecture), on the site of what is now Zentsuji Temple (temple number 75 on the pilgrimage), Kukai developed a deep interest in Buddhism. He studied in China for two years, focusing on esoteric teachings. On his return to Japan he founded the Shingon school of Buddhism. Kukai went on to accomplish many other great deeds during his lifetime, including establishing a monastery on Mt. Koya, a site in present-day Wakayama Prefecture that now hosts a vast complex of temples and monasteries and is one of the holiest sites in Shingon Buddhism. His achievements earned him the posthumous title of Kobo Daishi, or “Grand Master of Buddhist Teaching.”

For Buddhist devotees, the main purpose of the Shikoku Pilgrimage is to follow in the footsteps of Kobo Daishi in order to honor the Grand Master and earn his blessings. Each of the 88 temples has a Daishi hall, which is dedicated to Kobo Daishi, as well as a main hall, in which the temple’s principal deity is enshrined. Pilgrims generally light a candle, offer incense, and pray at both halls when visiting a temple. Most of the 88 temples also have their own legends that tell of miracles worked by Kobo Daishi. For example, in a story told at Hotsumisakiji Temple (number 24) in Kochi Prefecture, Kobo Daishi is refused a potato by a local farmer, and so makes the region’s potatoes inedible. Another tale involves the main hall at Yashimaji Temple (number 84) in Kagawa, which the Grand Master is said to have built in one night.

空海—弘法大師

佛教高僧空海（774-835）被認為是四國遍路的開創者，也是朝聖者在巡行八十八處靈場時會反覆遇見的一位重要人物。空海俗姓佐伯，出生於現在的善通寺（第75處靈場）所在地贊岐（今香川縣）的一個貴族家庭，對佛教有著濃厚的興趣。31歲時，他作為遣唐使前往長安，在青龍寺跟隨密宗第七代祖師惠果學習。現在中國西安的青龍寺裡依然矗立著中日共建的空海紀念碑，周圍種植了大片的櫻花林。空海在中國主要學習密宗教義，兩年後回到日本開創了佛教真言宗，並陸續取得了許多其他的偉大成就。比如，他在今天和歌山縣的高野山建立了寺院，如今這裡擁有大量寺院和修行建築群，是真言宗最重要的聖地之一。空海一生的豐功偉績為世人稱頌，死後獲得了「弘法大師」的諡號。

對於虔誠的佛教徒而言，參與四國遍路朝聖的主要目的在於追隨弘法大師的腳步，在紀念大師的同時得到他的祝福和護佑。八十八處靈場的每一座寺廟都有一座供奉弘法大師的大師堂，也會有一座供奉本尊的本堂（正殿），朝聖者會在這兩個殿閣奉上香燭並祈禱。大多數靈場都不乏各自獨有的傳說，講述著弘法大師曾展示的奇跡。比如，在第24處靈場高知縣最御崎寺的一個故事中，大師向當地農民化緣芋頭時遭到了拒絕，對方謊稱自己的芋頭是石頭，結果大師把這個地區所有的芋頭都變成了石頭；而在第84處靈場香川縣屋島寺也有一則逸聞，據說大師在一夜之間就建成了寺廟本堂。

空海—弘法大师

佛教高僧空海(774-835)被认为是四国遍路的开创者，也是巡礼者在巡行八十八处灵场时会反复遇见的一位重要人物。空海俗姓佐伯，出生于现在的善通寺（第75处灵场）所在地赞岐（今香川县）的一个贵族家庭，对佛教有着浓厚的兴趣。31岁时，他作为遣唐使前往长安，在青龙寺跟随密宗第七代祖师惠果学习。现在中国西安的青龙寺里依然矗立着中日共建的空海纪念碑，周围种植了大片的樱花林。空海在中国主要学习密宗教义，两年后回到日本开创了佛教真言宗，并且一生中陆续取得了许多其他的伟大成就。比如，他在今天和歌山县的高野山建立了寺院，如今这里拥有大量寺院和修行建筑群，是真言宗最重要的圣地之一。空海的丰功伟绩为世人称颂，在死后获得了“弘法大师”的谥号。

对于虔诚的佛教徒而言，参与四国遍路巡礼的主要目的在于追随弘法大师的脚步，在纪念大师的同时得到他的祝福和护佑。八十八处灵场的每一座寺庙都有一座供奉弘法大师的大师堂和一座供奉本尊的本堂（正殿），巡礼者会在这两个殿阁奉上香烛并祈祷。大多数灵场都不乏各自独有的传说，讲述着弘法大师曾展示的奇迹。比如，在第24处灵场高知县最御崎寺的一个故事中，大师向当地农民化缘芋头时遭到了拒绝，对方谎称自己的芋头是石头，结果大师把这个地区所有的芋头都变成了石头；而在第84处灵场香川县屋岛寺也有一则逸闻，据说大师在一夜之间就建成了寺庙本堂。