Buddhism is popularly regarded in the West as being a very peaceful religion, but this way by no means the image presented by the famous warrior monks of medieval Japan. From the 10th century onwards the great monastic foundations of Nara and Mount Hiei maintained private armies that terrified the courtiers and citizens of the capital with their religious and military power. Armed with long nag…
The Master, who was named A?vagho?a Bodhisattva, was a disciple of Elder Pår?va. When Elder Pår?va, being deeply concerned about the Buddha-Dharma, entered samådhi in order to contemplate who was competent to renounce the world and widely propagate the teachings of the Way so as to enlighten living beings, he had a vision of a hermit heretic in Central India who was well versed in worldly wi…