Kukai, more commonly known by the honorific Kobo Daishi, was one of the great characters in the development of Janpanese culture. He was active in literature, engineering, calligraphy, and architecture and is represented in this work in terms of his major effort--the introduction of esoteric Buddhism from China, which resulted in the formation of the Shingou sect still active in Japan. Eight of his works are presented here.
Whenever I have questions on Mahayana Buddhist doctrine, I return tothis text and Professor Hakeda's interpretation of it. I wonder if I willever encounter a work that is at once more profound, attractive, andmysterious than the Awakening of Faith. -- Ryuichi Abi, from theintroduction First published in 1967, Yoshito S. Hakeda's criticalinterpretation of the Awakening of Faith has become a classic. Thisedition, which includes a new introduction by Ryuichi Abi, presents abeautiful and accessible translation of one of the most influential worksin Mahayana Buddhism.