This book is an oral tradition by Jogon regarding the Goshinho (the Self-Protection Dharma), the most fundamental and important practice within the Shingon School. It is said that in ancient Japan, there were many monks who attained enlightenment simply by diligently practicing the Self-Protection Dharma for several hours each day. This practice can be considered the very essence of the Shingon School, and this Oral Tradition is a volume packed with the philosophy of the Shingon School.
The author, Jogon, became the successor to the Anshoji-ryu school-considered the most authentic Shingon dharma lineage during the Edo period. Furthermore, while residing in Japan, he mastered Sanskrit, thoroughly re-examined baseless and dubious traditions, always sought references in the sutras, and fundamentally restructured Shingon practice, which had become merely a formality. He was extremely strict regarding monastic precepts. While refraining from marriage and the consumption of meat-as is expected of a monk-he also energetically engaged in activities to save people. Possessing both compassion and wisdom, he was regarded as a figure so remarkable that some even said he might be the reincarnation of Kōbō Daishi himself. His philosophy of thoroughly revitalizing Shingon Buddhism has had a profound influence on the modern Shingon tradition, and it is even said that without him, Shingon Buddhism might not have survived to the present day.
His teachings have been preserved as the Shin-Anshoji-ryu tradition. In accordance with the ancient Esoteric Buddhist traditions transmitted by Kōbō Daishi, these teachings were not imparted to just anyone, but were passed down only to a select few disciples who shared a deep spiritual connection and were truly seeking enlightenment. In fact, even today, there are only a handful of monks who have trained in the Shin-Anshoji-ryu and received abhiṣeka in its true sense. It is our hope that through his teachings, you will come to understand authentic Japanese Esoteric Buddhism.
In translating this text into English, we have used slightly simpler expressions for technical terms to make them easier to understand; however, this has resulted in some passages becoming somewhat verbose. If you have any questions, please consult a Esoteric Buddhist monk you know to deepen your understanding.
