main source of the shugenja's spiritual power generally understood to be Fudō Myōō and a shugenja gains the ability to use Fudō Myōō's power through mountain practices. There are three main forms of mountain practice according to Miyake Hitoshi: "Entering the mountain to make offerings of flowers, read or bury sutras, and so forth, in honor of various buddhas or other deities, based on the belief that the mountain is a sacred area like a mandala." "Entering the mountain for a certain period of time," a kind of mountain retreat during which yamabushi do various ascetic practices and receive esoteric knowledge and initiations. The most severe and advanced nyūbu is the wintertime retreat in the mountains. This is said to confer special spiritual powers. Shugendō esoteric initiations are called shōkanjō (正灌頂) and are unique to Shugendō tradition (but are based on Vajrayana Buddhist abhiseka ceremonies). Another important Shugendō practice is the demonstration of magical and spiritual powers (genjutsu, 験 術). Such displays may include fire walking, walking on swords, and entering boiling water. Yet another important religious practice in Shugendō is various rites or rituals of worship (kuyōhō, 供養法) which includes making offerings to Shugendō deities (such as Fudō Myōō and Zaō Gongen) as well as the chanting of sutras. Shugendō practitioners also take part in Shinto festivals (matsuri, 祭) and make offerings to kami. Other practices which are part of Shugendō include the following: Fortunetelling and divination (bokusen) obtaining oracles through mediums (fujutsu) obtaining oracles through mediums that have been possessed by a deity (yori kitō, 憑祈禱) Fire ceremonies for averting misfortunes (sokusai goma), usually focused around Fudō Myōō Using incantations (kaji) for a specific purpose Spells and charms (fuju, majinai), used for healing, childbirth, protection and so on. These may be inscribed on amulets. Exorcism (tsukimono otoshi) for healing purposes Shugendo ritualists also practice different rituals, prayers and ceremonies associated with particular deities (shosonbō, 諸尊法) including the buddhas Yakushi and Amida, the bodhisattvas Monju, Kokuzo and Kannon as well as Indian deities like Benzai-ten and Japanese Kami like Inari, and Daikoku. See also Kaihōgyō Mikkyō Milarepa Mount Hatsuka Mount Hiei Mount Ōfuna Mount Ōmine Onmyōdō Sokushinbutsu Citations General and cited references External links A Look at Japanese Ascetic Practice Head Temple Takao-san Yakuo-in Central Shugendo Training Center in Kanto 天台寺門宗｜修験道 Shugen: The Autumn Peak of Haguro Shugendo Mount Fuji and Shugendo Shugendo article in Buddhism & Shinto in