“shingon”

In Japanese, shingon, meaning “true word” comes from the Chinese word used to translate the Sanskrit “mantra.” It is a syllable or phrase transcending the usual meanings associated with language, believed to have the power to invoke the qualities of an awakened mind by its sheer sound. In the Shingon Buddhist tradition, each deity has an associated mantra and condensed “seed syllable” of mantra.

Fudō

ON SANMAYA SATOBAN

Miroku

ON MAITAREYA SOWAKU

Dainichi

ON ABIRA UN KEN

Sanskrit seed syllables

Amida

NOUMAKU SANMANDA PODA