FUDO BUDDHA

The most powerful of all Buddhas & Main Deity of Samurai Buddhism (Fudo-Shu)

While Rev, Zenji Nio respects all Buddhist saints from Saicho and Kukai to Shinran and Honen to Dogen and Hakuin Zenji, Nio especially reveres saints that helped shaped Fudo Shu including Bodhidharma -- Daruma -- the founder of Shaolin Kung Fu and Zen Buddhism whose mantra "Nana Korobi Yaoki" or Fall 7, Rise 8 enables us to be persistent and unswayable like Almighty Fudo Buddha. The saint to best embody Bodhidharma's message was Takuan Soho -- the head saint for the Samurai from Shogun Iiemitsu to Miyamoto Musashi who taught us the concept of Fudoshin or being tough-minded and calm even in the midst of the storm. Hence, these are the 2 saints we venerate the most in Fudo Shu but we also give props to all Kamakura saints who taught us to find skillful ways to reach out to those who need the Buddha's teachings and medicinal wisdom in their lives.

Bodhidharma - National Mascot of Japan & Patron Saint of Shaolin, Samurai & Hwarang warriors - & Takuan Soho - supreme Samurai saint of Japan