Shugendo

Shugendo is a syncretic religion that combines elements of Shinto, Buddhism, and Taoism. It originated in Japan during the Heian period, roughly between the 8th and 12th centuries. The core of Shugendo practice involves asceticism and spiritual training undertaken in natural environments, particularly mountains. Adherents, known as Shugenja or Yamabushi, seek spiritual enlightenment and supernatural powers through rigorous disciplines.

Key practices include mountain climbing, meditation, fasting, and exposure to harsh natural conditions. These ascetic exercises are believed to purify the body and mind, allowing practitioners to connect with the divine and gain insight. Shugendo venerates a wide range of kami (Shinto deities) and buddhas, often integrating them into a unified cosmology. Figures like En no Gyōja, a legendary ascetic, are central to Shugendo tradition.

The religion traditionally had a strong presence in mountainous regions such as Mount Kumano and Mount Haguro. Shugendo’s influence can be seen in Japanese art, literature, and folklore. While its organized structure has faced changes over time, particularly with the Meiji Restoration's separation of Shinto and Buddhism, its practices and spiritual lineage continue to be preserved by various schools and individual practitioners today. The emphasis remains on the integration of the human spirit with the natural world through intense spiritual discipline.