Fudō’s Shingon Mantra in Japanese
なーまくさーまんだーば さらなんせんだ
まーかろしゃーな そわたやうんたらた かんまん
Naamakusaamandaaba Saranansenda Maakaroshya-na Sowatayauntarata Kanman
Positioned in Center. Personification of Dainichi Nyorai; best known of the five, and one of the main deities of the Shingon sect. Converts anger into salvation; furious, glaring face, as Fudō seeks to frighten people into accepting the teachings of Dainichi; carries “kurikara“ or devil-subduing sword in right hand (also represents wisdom cutting through ignorance and used to combat the three poisons (greed, anger, ignorance); holds rope in left hand (to catch and bind up demons and evil); often has third eye in forehead (all-seeing); often seated or standing on rock (because Fudō is “immovable“ in his faith). In sculpture, Fudō is often flanked by two attendants, Kongara Dōji 矜羯羅童子 and Seitaka Dōji 制た迦童子. Fudō is also one of the 13 Deities 十三仏 (Jūsanbutsu) of the Shingon Sect of Esoteric Buddhism (Mikkyō 密教) in Japan. In this role, Fudō presides over the memorial service held on the 7th day following one’s death. In Japan, Fudō is also worshipped as a deity who can bring monetary fortune.