Shigisan Shingon sect (信貴山真言宗)
The Shigisan Shingon sect is a Shingon set that worships Bishamonten (Vaisravana; also called Tamonten) and its Grand Head Temple is Chogosonshi-ji Temple (Shigisan-ji Temple). Belief in Bishamonten dates back to the Asuka period. It began when Prince Shotoku prayed for winning battles to subjugate MONONOBE no Moriya. The sect became independent after World War II, but its creed remained unchanged, and it is considered that the creed dates back to the foundation of Shigisan-ji Temple by Prince Shotoku.
History
The Shigisan Shingon sect became independent of the Koyasan Shingon Sect in 1951, and the next year it was certified as a religious corporation.
Successive generations of head priests of Chogosonshi-ji Temple/chief abbots of Shigisan Shingon sect
Doryo SUZUKI
Shinei TANAKA
Mitsumasa Nozawa
Missho NOZAWA
Mitsugo NOZAWA
Mamizu TANAKA
Koei SUZUKI
Mikko NOZAWA
Shumon (crest of a sect)
Bishamon Kikko
Jikaku (status of a Buddhist temple) (in random order)
Grand Head Temple: Chogosonshi-ji Temple (Heguri-cho, Nara Prefecture)
Branch temples: Entsu-ji Temple (Kawajima-machi, Saitama Prefecture), Enshu Shingisan (Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture), Senfuku-ji Temple (Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture), Fukushin-in (Iinancho, Mie Prefecture), Okubo-dera Temple (Yao City, Osaka Prefecture), Kochi Betsuin Ryuo-ji Temple (Nankoku City, Kochi Prefecture)
Head temples: Senju-in (in Mt. Shigi), Jofuku-in Temple (in Mt. Shigi), Gyokuzo-in (in Mt. Shigi),
Bekkaku-honzan (quasi-head temple)
Jun-bekkaku-honzan (associate head temple)
Local temples
Organization of general affairs of a sect
Chief abbot (Doubled by the head priest of Chogosonshi-ji Temple, the chief abbot is a representative staff of the sect and the chief priests of the head temples in Mt. Shigi take turns assuming the post each year.)
Sect assembly
Chief of general affairs of the sect (Doubled by the chief of affairs of Chogosonshi-ji Temple)
Priesthood and ranks of priests
Ranks of priests (a total of 15 ranks)
Rank 1 Daisojo
Rank 2 Gon Daisojo
Rank 3 Chusojo
Rank 4 Gon-Chusojo
Rank 5 Shosojo
Rank 6 Gon-shosojo
Rank 7 Daisozu
Rank 8 Gon dai sozu
Rank 9 Chusozu
Rank 10 Gon-chusozu
Rank 11 Shosozu
Rank 12 Gon-shosozu
Rank 13 Dai-risshi
Rank 14 Risshi
Rank 15 Gon-Risshi
Qualification of chief priests (having a qualification of teacher; 2 years after tokudo (entry into the Buddhist priesthood) and acquisition of official certificate; completion of shidokegyo (four trainings), the religious precept, and Denpo Kanjo (ceremony to invest someone with Ajari (rank of master))
Appointment of chief priests (application or special order of the chief abbot)
Annual events
11 o'clock a.m. on the 7th day of each month: Monthly Buddhist memorial service at Gyosha-do
11 o'clock a.m. on the 13th day of each month: Eko Kuyo at Kokuzo-do
3 o'clock p.m. on the 21st day of each month: Monthly Buddhist memorial service at Kaizan-do
11 o'clock a.m. on the 28th day of each month: Monthly Buddhist memorial service at Sanpo-do
11 o'clock a.m. on the second day of the Tiger of each month: Monthly Buddhist memorial service at Kengai-do
10 o'clock a.m. on the first day of the Serpent of each month: Monthly Buddhist memorial service at Kuhatsu-do
Educational institutions
Shuchiin University (partnership)
Rakunan High School/Junior High School (partnership)
Flower arrangement Shigisan Sinkaryu (head family: chief abbot of Shigisan)
Facilities
Treasure house (Reihokan)