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At the end of the 8th century AD, King Kwammu moved his
capital from Nara to Tokyo. Contrary to the old tradition, he left
all monasteries, sanctuaries and shrines in Nara, and established
new ones on the mountain of Hiei, south of Tokyo. The new
leaders of Buddhism, Dengyodaishi and Kukai then entered the
arena as the two brightest and biggest stars. Secret Buddhism
began to flourish.
- Secret Buddhism in Japan
Two prominent people, Dengyodaishi (or Saicho) and
Kukai (Kobo Kaishi) established two important schools of
Buddhism. Dengyodaishi transmitted Taimisu from Ten Dai
School. Kukai transmitted the doctrines of mystic ritualism from
the Vajrayana School in the form of Shingon Buddhism to Toji.
Both schools were not much different from each other regarding
the doctrine theory. However, the Shingon sect was more popular
and more special on the practical aspect of the doctrine.
On the doctrine theory, both sects had the same point of view
about Sakyamuni and Mahavairocana and about the application
of the doctrine theory in Shinto Religion in Japan. In exploring
the relationship of Shinto religion and Buddhism, one must
thoroughly understand this point, because the vocabulary used in
Shinto religion, such as Ryobu and Ichijtsu, originated from the
difference of ideology in these two Secret sects.