Yamabushi (山伏, one who prostrates oneself on the mountain) are Japanese mountain ascetic hermits. [1] They are generally part of the syncretic shugendō religion, which includes Tantric Buddhism and Shinto .

SHUGENDO - the spiritual path of the yamabushi ("one who bows down on the mountain") - is a 1500 year old Japanese religious tradition distilling the profound wisdom teachings of Asia. Combining esoteric Buddhist practice, Shinto awareness of the sacredness of nature, and outdoor asceticism such as mountain pilgrimage, Shugendo is an intensely ...

Apr 22, 2024 · Yamabushi are Japanese mountain ascetic hermits who practice shugendō, a syncretic religion combining elements of Tantric Buddhism, Shinto, and Taoism. Their origins trace back to solitary hermits and holy persons of the 8th-9th centuries.

See below for some of the Yamabushi programs that are currently available. These programs have been made in collaboration with the monks of the Miyatabo lodge on Mt. Haguro as well as the Yamabushi of the Mt. Yudono Shrine. Note that these programs take place in Tsuruoka City. This city can be reached from Tokyo by train via Tsuruoka Station (4 ...

Mar 19, 2025 · The Clifftop Yamabushi can be found on the far East side of Kll, North of Shingu. He sits atop a cliff, the only way to gain access is to come from the Path of the Chosen to the South East. The Pathway Yamabushi. click to enlarge.

Nov 23, 2021 · Since ancient times, Yamabushi training on Mt. Haguro has been based around The Ten Realms of Buddhism, with yamabushi undertaking rituals that emulate each of these realms. A very in-depth article about this can be found here .

Oct 15, 2024 · The Yamabushi are a unique and significant part of Japanese culture, embodying the spiritual connection between humanity and the mountains. Their name translates to “those who lie down in the mountains,” reflecting their ascetic practices and deep-rooted belief in the power of nature.

Mar 7, 2022 · It combines elements from Shintoism, Esoteric Buddhism, Daoism and Folk Religion. The followers of Shugendo are called shugenja, but they are popularly called yamabushi, or “mountain worshipers,” because their ascetic training consisted of many months spent in harsh mountain environments.

Yamabushi means “those who lie down in the mountains.” For more than 1,400 years, Yamabushi monks have walked in Japan's sacred mountains, believing that being in a harsh natural environment can lead to Buddhist enlightenment.

Its adherents, known as Shugenja or Yamabushi (literally “those who lay in the mountains”) embark on ascetic alpine sojourns, wearing white and saffron robes as they send the plaintive call of conch shell bugles echoing among the forests.