DAINICHI NYORAI

Mahavairochana Buddha. The Buddha of great light. The dharmakaya (body of the dharma) Buddha who is the central object of worship and focus of meditation of theShingonBuddhist sect. From at least the eleventh centuryAmaterasuandToyo-ukewere identified as a manifestation of Dainichi under the auspices ofryobu shintoand thehonji-suijakutheory, according to which the inner and outer shrines ofIse jinguwere a manifestation of the dual aspects of Dainichi.