Koyasan Okunoin, Why are there so many gravestones?

One of the two most sacred sanctuaries at Koyasan is Okunoin. The Okunoin is believed the sanctuary where Maitreya Bodhisattva descends. The mausoleum where Kukai rests is located at the innermost part of the sanctuary. The 2-km approach from the Ichi-no-hashi bridge to Okunoin is lined with large cedar trees that are said to be 200 to 600 years old, creating a solemn atmosphere. The view in the early morning, when the sun shines through the trees, can be said to be the ultimate tranquility created by nature. Since the Kamakura period (1185-1333), people from all walks have laid their gravestones along this approach. It is estimated that there are 200,000 to 300,000 gravestones here. Warlords who fought each other, transcending religious sects, lie in quiet repose. Why do people erect tombstones and rest in Koyasan? It is because they believe that Maitreya Bodhisattva will come down to this world and save their souls. Their souls are awaiting Maitreya.

Souls waiting for Maitreya Bodhisattva beyond religious sect, and friend and foe

Koyasan was built by Kukai, the founder of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, but it transcends sectarianism, with tombstones of Honen, the founder of the Jodo sect, and Shinran, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu sect, as well as a Christian (Keikyo) monument. There are too many gravestones of warlords to count: Oda Nobunaga and his rebel Akechi Mitsuhide; Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin, who fought in the seven-year battle of Kawanakajima; Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his wife and heir, Yodo-dono and Hideyori; Date Masamune, who conquered Tohoku region; Ishida Mitsunari, Hideyoshi's loyal retainer who lost the Battle of Sekigahara to Tokugawa Ieyasu, and many others. The gravestones of countless military commanders line the streets. Together with Kukai, they await the descent of Maitreya Buddha, transcending religious sects and friend and foe alike.

Maitreya Bodhisattva descends to this world 5.67 billion years later

Maitreya Bodhisattva is believed to be currently in training in Tosotsuten, one of the heavenly realms in Buddhist cosmology. According to Buddhist belief, Maitreya will descend to our human world 5.67 billion years after the death of Buddha to save people. In other words, Maitreya is the only Bodhisattva who becomes a Buddha to descend to the human world and save us all. The scriptures mention that Okunoin is one of the places where this Maitreya is believed to manifest. As the only entity that brings hope in the future of 5.67 billion years later, many people have hope and are waiting for Maitreya Buddha's descent with Kukai at the Okunoin Sanctuary. This is the reason why so many gravestones stood at Okunoin.

Maitreya and Kukai bring hope to the future

When Kukai realized he would die soon, he told his disciples to descend to this world with Maitreya to save the people. Therefore, he is believed to be alive, and every day for about 1200 years, his meals have been served at Okunoin, even on rainy and snowy. Koyasan was considered the Pure Land of Maitreya, where Kukai entered the long meditation. With the sunshine filtering through the cedar trees, please explore gravestones and feel the hopes of Japanese historical figures during their turbulent times.

Kukai Timeline

774	Kukai was born	Age=1	Nara Period
785	Saicho received religious precepts at Todaiji	11
787	Saicho lit the Eternal Light	13
791	Kukai started to study in Kyoto	18
794	The relocation of the capital to the city to Heian-kyo in Kyoto	21	Heian Period
804	Kukai became a monk and left Naniwa port for Tang	31
804	Saicho left Japan to Tang	-
805	Kukai met Keika and learned Shingon Buddhism	32
805	Saicho established Tendai sect of Buddhism	32
806	Kukai came back to Japan	33
806	Saicho came back to Japan	33
810	Kukai conducted the incantations for the protecting nation.	37
810	Kusuko incident occurred	37
816	Kukai was given Koyasan by Emperor Saga	43
822	Saicho passed away	49
823	Kukai was given Toji Temple by Emperor Saga	50
832	Kukai held the Mando-Mange-E festival at Koyasan	59
835	Kukai entered the next world or passed away	62
921	The posthumous title of Kobo Taishi was given to Kukai	-

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