Shugendō; Japanese mountain asceticism
A syncretic religious tradition combining elements of Shinto, Buddhism, and folk practices, centered on mountain ascetic training.
Shugendō is a uniquely Japanese religion centered on mountain ascetic practice.
As a practitioner of Shugendō, he undergoes rigorous training.
Formed from 修験, ascetic practice undertaken to acquire spiritual power, and 道, “way” or “tradition.” It denotes the syncretic Japanese tradition of mountain asceticism.