For Shingon, June 15th is considered Kobo Daishi Kukai's birthday. In his wonderful book "Sacred Koyasan", Professor Philip Nicoloff describes the date as follows:
"Kobo Daishi was born to Lady Tamayori and Saeki Tagimi on the island of Shikoku in 774. The precise day of birth is unknown, but later tradition selects June 15 as probable, for on that day in 774 the sixth of the eight Shingon patriarchs, Amoghavajra, died in China. The matching of dates lends credence to the notion that Kobo Daishi was Amoghavajra's reincarnation." (SK, p. 33).
In Chapter Eleven (p. 241 - 247) of that same book, Professor Nicoloff describes the Daishi-tanjo-e, Koyasan's Daishi Nativity Ceremony in depth. It's well worth a read.
So please mark Kukai's birthday today and if you are inspired, chant his mantra as all students of Shingon owe a debt of gratitude to the founder for his contribution to our practice and path.
"Namu daishi henjo kongo"
Enjoy the day and please reach out to us if there is anything we can do to help you in your study of Shingon, mandalavermont@gmail.com).
jim
("Sacred Koyasan: A Pilgrimage to the Mountain Temple of Saint Kobo Daishi and the Great Sun Buddha", 2008, by Philip L. Nicoloff, published by State University Press of New York, Albany)
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