Frequently Asked Questions
For those considering Nyudan from overseas
For those considering entering training — Nyudan (入壇) — at Dokyo Shingon-shu Sohonzan Tenpozan Eson-in (道教真言宗総本山 天保山慧尊院) from outside Japan. Below are the questions most often on the minds of practitioners who reach us from overseas.
Do I need to speak Japanese to enter training (Nyudan)?
Not as an absolute condition — communication through translation tools is possible. However, the teachings of Mikkyo (密教, Esoteric Buddhism), including their technical vocabulary, are transmitted in Japanese. The more Japanese you understand, the more smoothly your training will proceed. Working ability in Japanese is strongly encouraged rather than strictly required.
Do I need a visa, and how long does the training take?
Even when it proceeds without delay, the core preliminary path — from tokudo (得度, novice ordination) through the shido kegyo (四度加行, the four-fold preliminary training) — takes a minimum of approximately 120 days. For visas and permitted length of stay, please consult the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country, as these matters fall outside what the temple is able to advise on.
Can I enter if I am not Japanese, or not a Buddhist?
Yes. We do not ask which religious school or denomination you come from. Neither your nationality nor your prior faith is a barrier to entering the path.
What does the training actually involve, and what level of commitment does it ask of me?
You are taught the structured transmission curriculum of Mikkyo — the formal course of esoteric Buddhist instruction. The commitment it asks for is comparable to attending university: sustained, serious, and not undertaken lightly.