Original subtitles

In Commemoration of the 1,150th Anniversary of the Death of Koho Daishi.

Toei Company Ltd Presents

KUKAI (Enlighten Priest)

Screenplay by HAYASAKA Akira

Starring

KITAOJI Kinya

OGAWA Mayumi

SAIGO Teruhiko

TAMBA Tetsuro

NISHIMURA Kon NAKAMURA Katsuo

KATO Go

MORISHIGE Hisaya

Directed by SATO Junya

Out of our way!

The emperor is passing!

Get out of our way!

Stop.

Is it bleeding?

Its legs are broken, sir.

Where from?

Probably it came from that forest.

I meant you.

I'm from Sanuki.

Sanuki, Shikoku?

My uncle is here in the capital.

Capital?

This was a capital.

I'm building a new capital forty miles north.

I deserted this Nara. Go.

Deserted? Why?

Saicho.

Yes, sir.

Where to?

I'm leaving Nara.

To the new capital?

Even if the emperor is away, this is our capital.

No. It can't be a capital to anyone

How can he live elsewhere?

We seem to be stalled.

All the countries are moving to the new capital.

Let's get off, my child.

What're you going to do? Walk?

I'm not going.

What?

The new capital isn't like a town yet.

Kusuko.

When houses are built there, send for me.

So you're going to the new capital, too.

I'll miss you.

The emperor wishes it. As courtier, I must obey.

Will Prince Iyo, your master, succeed to the throne?

No. He's the emperor's third son.

He won't be crown prince.

Mao. Is it you, Mao?

He's my nephew, Mao of Saeki.

He was born a genius.

He's called "Treasure” back home in Sanuki.

He's the hope of our Saeki Family.

So he has a big future.

He came to town to study at the university.

What happened to the deer?

Let's take a rest.

Emperor Kammu has a strong will.

He deserted such a big capital.

Deserted for what?

They became too powerful.

Who's "they"?

Look at the temple.

The six religious sects in Nara have gained power.

A priest even tried to usurp the throne.

It's true. He almost succeeded.

He was banished.

That's why the emperor deserted the town.

Mao came to town at the changing of capitals.

Six years later...

They're back.

What a reception! Thank you very much.

My brother.

I don't see Mao. Isn't he with you?

Otari.

Brother-in-law.

It's been years.

Sister.

Isn't my son with you?

Hasn't he retumed?

You mean you haven't brought him?

Let's talk inside.

He's a real treasure.

He was the brightest student at the university.

He can read and write Chinese well.

So he's distinguished even in town.

But this year, he suddenly stopped going to school.

He wanted to quit.

It's only been a year.

I tried to dissuade him.

It was promised he'd be accepted as an official at the court.

He could be promoted to a very high position.

But all of sudden he left school.

Why? What happened to him?

I don't know. He suddenly disappeared.

Disappeared?

I searched the whole town.

Nara, too.

Then a letter came.

It said he'd gone home. So I retumed in a hurry.

He wrote so to us, too. So we're waiting.

Father.

Is it Mao?

I don't know.

He's a beggar.

Wait.

It's Mao.

He can't be our son.

But he is.

Father.

Mother.

Mao.

No! He isn't!

Yes, I am.

How are you, Mother?

Why dress like a beggar?

I'm traveling. I'm in a hurry.

Where to?

You're dirty. Come in anyway.

No, I can't. I'm in a hurry.

Seeing both of you is enough.

Return to the capital.

It's contaminated.

Goodbye.

He isn't Mao.

He can't be.

He is Mao.

But he's mad.

When it's fair, we can see the Inland Sea.

What'll you do?

I don't know.

You don't?

You don't know.

Why do we live?

What do we live for?

You came here to find it?

You what?

If I deserve to live...

I won't die if I fail.

Don't be silly.

If Buddha exists, he'll save me.

Will you test him?

Do I deserve life?

I want to know.

What'll you do?

Stop it!

Why?

Shame on you!

Shame? Why are you ashamed of making love?

Stop it!

Don't interfere. Who do you think I am?

I don't know.

You don't.

I'm you.

Are you alive?

Why follow me?

Your test is over. Let's return.

Return?

Where to?

The capital.

Capital?

What for?

Finish the university, and you'll be a courtier.

You'll get promotions.

You'll be able to have a pretty wife.

Did my uncle send you here?

Yes. He'll give me a generous reward.

Tell him this:

"Mao became a fish."

"Reporting!”

"A star flew into Mao's mouth. It's true.”

Here he is. He's still training himself.

I'll get him.

Reporting.

Mao is training at Mt. Fuji.

March 14, 800 AD.

We meet again.

It'll explode.

Explode!

What'll explode?

The mountain.

The mountain is going to erupt!

It'll erupt!

Run, everybody!

Get in the cave.

The earth is alive.

Stop it!

Make love!

Men, make love with women by nature.

Fear nothing.

Make love.

Come here and make love.

Never think of dying.

Make love and enjoy life.

Live! Make love and live!

Men, women, the earth... They're all alive.

My child...

Give him up if he's dead. You'll have another child.

Mao, she's going to die.

Make love with her, or she'll die.

Look!

The earth and the people are alive.

Live.

Death solves nothing.

Life is everything.

It's life that matters.

Crown Prince!

Chamberlain.

Where is he?

Somewhere else.

The earthquake will end soon. Don't go out.

Where can he be?

Is he with that woman?

You're safe here with me.

Kusuko.

Who is it?

Chamberlain Kadono.

It's an earthquake. Get out! Get out of the room!

Don't worry. It'll be over.

May I come in?

Wait! Wait a minute.

Let me in.

Come in.

What is it?

This belongs to the crown prince.

He can't sleep elsewhere.

What do you mean?

He can sleep well here.

What's on your mind?

He has a wife.

He can't sleep with her.

And she's your daughter.

She’s too young to sleep with a man.

Besides you have a respectable husband.

Respectable?

You're a wicked woman.

Kadono, are you going to reveal this?

What if the emperor finds out?

As chamberlain, you'll be held responsible.

You'll be severely punished.

I'm ready for that.

You'd better be ready, too.

Prince Aden will be the next emperor.

Don't you like promotions?

I'm glad you retumed to the capital. I'll get paid.

Why chant the sutra?

To become authorized priests.

What for?

The government will give you money.

So what?

So you won't be a beggar like me.

Unauthorized priests are beggars.

Where's Buddha?

In the west, Western Paradise, so they say.

Not in this country?

Thousands of sutra scrolls were brought, but not Buddha.

Kadono.

The dance reminded me of something.

What is it?

Our envoy to China.

Envoy?

When was the last?

21 years ago.

That's right. So long ago.

I'll send an envoy.

Good idea.

Give him a drink.

For Kadono.

Read it.

Read aloud so they'll understand.

"This is a drink.

"To wish you a safe return.

"From the long voyage...

"Over the China Sea.”

Understand?

Me?

Yes. You're the envoy.

But I can't leave the crown prince.

He doesn't need you.

You refuse the mission?

No, sir.

I'm glad to be given such a mission.

Kusuko.

You mustn't live in the palace.

Return to your husband's house.

Who blabbed?

I didn't.

Look. He's trembling.

Prince Iyo did.

Kadono, read the poem again to celebrate your mission.

"This is a drink

"To with you a safe return

"From the long voyage

"Over the China Sea.”

He won't come back alive.

Mao's been in the temple for 100 days reading the sutras.

This is it!

This sutra!

What are the sutra texts for?

Where they brought from China only to gather dust?

Finished?

Not in two months.

We're doing our best.

Not that fast.

Take your time.

Build it carefully.

Your job is to build it, but mine is to go

all the way to China.

To China!

You want to go to China?

I want to study, Esoteric Buddhism.

What's that?

Buddhism.

We have a lot of Buddhist sutras already.

They aren't real.

If we learn real Buddhism, we'll be in paradise alive.

A voyage to China is risky.

Only half the passengers survive.

No, fewer.

I won't die.

Only authorized priests can go with the envoy.

You're Prince Iyo's tutor. You can help me.

You want me to ask him?

I'll bring back something valuable.

Real treasure.

If you go, you must spend twenty years there.

That's the rule.

You're thirty-two.

When you return, you'll be old.

I know.

My life means nothing if I don't see China.

This sword certifies you're my envoy.

He suddenly left school before, and now he wants to go to China.

He renamed himself Kukai. It means "sky and sea.”

What a big name!

The new capital of Kyoto is ten years old.

It's still under construction.

For the new capital, we need new administration,

new religion and new culture.

They must be greater than those of Nara, the former capital.

We must import them from China.

Changan, China's capital, has the best of the world's culture.

Laws, medicine, religion engineering, art, ceramics...

Bring a lot of them and make Kyoto prosper like Changan.

That's my ardent wish.

I hope you'll return safely.

My name is Hayanari.

Kukai is mine.

This is my first voyage.

I'm already seasick.

Your purpose?

China fever.

I must see China.

It'll make me look great.

You'd better throw up.

I have no family background. I need some career.

Tanoura, Kyushu

It's goodbye to Japan.

Who is he?

Saicho.

He's going to China with us.

The Saicho?

I've been waiting.

Get abroad the second ship.

I'm vice-envoy. I'll be with you.

Look at the cargo.

Unlike us, he has a special mission.

The emperor gave him a lot of money.

We'll return in twenty years, but he will in a year.

Then he'll be leader.

The emperor will use him to beat the Nara priests.

July 6, 802.

The four ships set sail for China in the Tung Dynasty.

The next night, a storm hit them.

Oh my god!

We lost the sail.

Do you know how they build a ship?

No, never.

A Chinese ship has a keel.

It's the backbone of a ship, like the one you have.

So it's strong.

Does this ship have one?

No.

They assemble planks into a ship.

If hit by a heavy sea, it'll break to pieces.

You know that and got aboard?

No other way.

No better ships.

Then we're going to die here.

Ball the water, or we'll sink.

Go back! Return to Japan!

No. We lost the sail.

What'll happen to this ship? Will we sink?

Kukai, chant the sutra like a priest.

That can't change the weather.

You know the truth?

The wind...

The waves...

The rain...

What are they?

Heaven's breath.

Heaven is breathing.

It has a heart that's beating.

The universe is living.

It's alive.

The wind, the waves, and the rain prove it.

Don't try to stop the wind.

Become the wind.

Don't try to stop the rain.

Become the rain yourself.

Captain.

Is it only us who survived?

Maybe so.

Which way are we drifting?

To the south.

Farther from our country.

Will we be saved?

I'm on heaven's journey.

Heaven's?

Esoteric Buddhism came from India to Changan.

I'm going to study the real Buddhism.

I don't follow you.

Buddhism is heaven's teachings.

The secrets of the universe.

Heaven can't stop me from learning it.

Are you going to get such a big thing?

So we'll reach China even if this ship falls apart.

As long as I'm abroad, it'll reach China.

It's the 34th day.

We ran out of food.

No water to drink.

I want to drink of water even sea water, before I die.

Do so.

Kukai, heaven didn't help you, after all.

Hayanari, smell the air.

It smells of grass.

Land is near.

Land!

Land!

You're right.

Land!

I can see land!

I can see land!

Get the oars! Row!

It was nearly 2,000 miles to Changan.

Where am I?

Near Suchou.

Don't look down, or you'll be dazed.

He's a monster.

Changan is near.

After this, well have it easier.

The envoy's here.

Vice-envoy!

Are you alive?

I'm glad to see you alive.

I managed to survive the storm.

I thought your ship had sunk.

My ship fortunately reached Nimpo, but the other two...

They sank?

Is Saicho safe here in Changan?

He isn't here. He went to the temple on Mt. Tendai.

So he already started studying Buddhism.

Look.

That's Changan.

That's Tayen Tower. Exactly in the picture I saw.

Tayen Tower, Changan

Chunming Gate, Changan

Huaching Pond, Changan

Shiming Temple, Changan

You speak Japanese.

Because I take care of Japanese students.

This way.

Welcome. My name is Yochu.

Kukai is mine.

I'll get your luggage.

Use my room.

It's on the sunny side of the house.

And you?

I'll return to Japan.

On your ship.

When did you get here?

It's 768 A. D.

34 years ago.

Before I was born.

I copied these sutra texts, the result of my 34 years' labor.

Finally I can take them to Japan.

China is a horrible country.

She munches every thought and idea and swallows them like a tiger.

Japan has no fangs to bite with.

That's right. No fangs.

I've been trying to become a fang the past ten years.

What do you want to bite with the fang?

The biggest and the hardest thing?

Which is?

Esoteric Buddhism.

Chingiung Temple, Changan

You'd better give up.

Why?

It isn't easy to even see Huikuo, the master.

Twenty years isn't enough to delve into the secrets of Esoteric Buddhism.

I came here to bite and swallow it.

- Look! - How vast!

Where does it lead?

To Tenjiku and Persha.

This is the Silk Road.

Silk Road.

Esoteric Buddhism came from India along this road.

I'd like to go to India, but I can't.

From west to east.

From west to east.

Why don't Japanese girls dance like that?

Why not jump?

I hear Acarya Huikuo Keikaajeri sick.

Sick?

How old is he?

I think he's sixty.

I must hurry.

I'll learn Sanskrit.

Sanskrit?

Santsang, the Indian, is the best Sanskrit teacher.

He'll be glad to teach Japanese men.

Why?

Lichuang Temple, Changan

I'd like to learn everything about Sanskrit.

Very good.

I hear Acarya Huikuo won't survive this year.

You must see him.

It'll be too late.

Go immediately.

I must learn Esoteric Buddhism directly from him.

It'll take time.

What'll you do?

I must learn Sanskrit first.

Or I won't understand.

It'll take three years.

Three months for me.

Three months? Are you mad?

I'm madly eating Sanskrit.

Eating?

Like this.

You eat alone.

Saicho retumed.

He brought some Esoteric Buddhism texts.

Kukai went to China to learn Esoteric Buddhism, too.

He's stupid.

Welcome home, Saicho.

Thanks to you and Buddha.

Well done.

I've been waiting for this day.

Saicho was assigned as the master of all the priests.

The Nara priests yielded to Saicho.

I finally beat Nara.

Did I misread it?

Are you really Japanese?

Only three months!

I want to read the Prajnaparamita Naya

Sutra of Esoteric Buddhism in Sanskrit.

Esoteric?

I want to learn it in the original language.

Come this way.

These are the sutra texts I copied.

You can have them.

Can I?

Thank you very much.

If I were younger, I'd go to Japan myself.

Why? You're interested in Japan?

China is too old.

Too old?

Buddha tells me to go east.

Go east?

Acarya Huikuo thinks the same way.

Him, too?

All right. I'll go.

Where are you going?

To see Acarya Huikuo.

I thought you did.

A Japanese student will come to see me.

His name is Kukai.

I'm a Japanese student Kukai is my name.

You're late.

I heard you came to Changan several months ago.

Why didn't you come sooner?

I came to your gate several times, but...

You're too late.

My days are numbered.

I'm glad.

I'm glad to have you.

I still have time.

I'll teach you about Esoteric Buddhism.

Why are you surprised?

Because Kukai is a foreigner?

Esoteric Buddhism was born in India, a foreign land.

The Indian taught me about it.

Acarya Pukung was Indian.

It's only natural to teach it to foreigners.

So I'll teach the foreign priest in tum.

Esoteric Buddhism moved eastward.

Let's start immediately.

We have no time to waste.

I'm glad I came all the way from Japan.

Maha Vairocana.

Wonderful! On Maha Vairocana.

Maha Vairocana.

Oh! Again!

The Kukai learned about Esoteric Buddhism

in only three months.

During the period, Kukai had little time to sleep.

Kukai.

I have nothing else to teach you.

Thank you.

Take Esoteric Buddhism east.

Go farther east across the ocean.

I'll try my best.

Call yourself Henjo Vajra.

Henjo Vajra.

I'm glad you came in time.

Acarya!

Go east!

You return to Japan?

That's right.

Are you crazy? We must stay here twenty years.

I can't wait that long.

Kukai.

But there's no ship.

Do you know Takashina?

I know him.

He came to Changan.

To pay homage to the new king.

Maybe this is our only chance.

Wait.

Take me with you.

Do you know what the punishment will be?

Makibi retumed two years earlier man expected.

He was banished led to Sado Island as punishment.

You know that?

I know, yet I want to go home.

You might die.

Welcome back, everybody.

Thank you, sir.

I almost died in the storm.

I'm surprised. He's the governor here.

Who?

Tadanushi, Kusuko's husband.

Kusuko?

She's intimate with the crown prince.

Is it true?

Why would I lie about it?

Terrible!

The emperor's dead!

No!

When?

Last March.

When we left Changan.

Who's the new emperor?

Prince Aden, of course.

He was heir to the throne.

Too bad.

Will we be exiled or executed?

What's that?

These are the sutras and Mandala brought by Kukai.

Kukai? I don't know.

Kukai is Otari's nephew, Your majesty.

He went to China two years ago with Saicho.

I see.

He should've stayed in China for twenty years.

Why two years?

He wrote the reason.

"To violate the rule is unforgivable.

"But to bring the valuable teaching is important.”

Valuable teaching? What is it?

Esoteric Buddhism.

Esoteric?

Saicho already brought it to Japan.

That's right. Saicho brought it here.

The one Kukai brought is different.

Saicho didn't go to Changan.

But Kukai went there...

Send him back.

Send him back to China.

I suggest we examine what he brought.

The emperor said to send him back to China.

Is there a ship available?

No. His ship was destroyed.

He isn't allowed in the capital.

He isn't allowed in the capital.

Have him wait there.

I'm Prince Iyo.

You're charged with treason.

Treason?

Kanzeon Temple, Kyushu

Kukai.

Uncle.

Hide my horse. See if I'm not followed.

What happened?

Hide my horse.

Prince Iyo was born by a different mother.

The emperor's mother was from the Fujiwara Family, like Kusuko.

That's why Kusuko hated Prince Iyo.

Besides, he was brighter than the emperor.

It's not because I was his tutor.

Everybody in the court says so.

Kusuko hated him even more for that.

Was he trapped?

It was alleged he planned treason. He was framed.

He was locked in a temple.

No water or food was given.

Otari?

Prince.

Don't come here. It's dangerous. Run away.

Water and food for you.

No use. There's nothing I can do.

You must eat.

Give me water.

Kusuko will try to kill you and Kukai.

Go to Kukai in Kyushu.

What Kukai brought is areal treasure for us all.

But the emperor doesn't try to understand.

The court and the courtiers... They're trash.

You're right.

You once wanted me to serve them.

I'm sorry I spent 35 years in the court.

And what's the reward? I had to run away like a criminal.

I didn't bring Esoteric Buddhism for a court like that.

What Kukai brought was a mountain of treasure

to enhance Japan's culture.

Kukai.

Is it true that Esoteric Buddhism can move people and even heaven?

Yes, it is.

Is it true?

Join your palms, chant Maha Veirocana's words,

and imagine him in your mind.

Then rid the capital of the dark cloud.

How long do we have to wait?

Then get ready to go to Kyoto.

Only to be killed?

The emperor's mind won't last for another month.

What do you mean?

He'll go mad.

Prince Iyo is watching us!

There he is!

That's Shikiko.

Not Prince Iyo.

Shikiko?

Your pretty wife. Look at her.

She's pretty, isn't she?

She's your darling wife.

Make love to her.

I prefer you.

Have a child. Not by me.

If I had one, it'd be my husband's.

Mother.

You must have a child by him.

Then the child will be his heir.

Kusuko, stay there.

Of course, I will.

Make love.

Get pregnant.

Get pregnant.

You're my brother from the same parents.

Replace me as emperor.

What are you saying?

I'm tired.

Please replace me. Succeed me to the throne.

I'm sorry, but I can't be an emperor.

Help me. The crown is too heavy for me.

I can't sleep at night Something is pressing me

Hurry! Take it away from me!

Help me! Save my life!

Please, my dear brother! Please!

Does Kusuko know?

Help me!

Save my life!

I understand.

I'll take over.

Take off my robe.

Kukai! Rejoice! The new emperor's on the throne!

Who?

Prince Kamino, the ex-emperor's brother.

Oh, him.

Kukai, the new emperor wants you back.

I'm ready.

Ready?

We've been waiting.

What's Kusuko doing?

She's angry.

The ex-emperor resigned when she was away.

She couldn't stop it.

Kukai.

Tadanushi.

I'm released from the post. I'm going back to Nara.

Nara? Not Kyoto?

Nara.

The ex-emperor has his court in the former capital.

I'll serve him.

That's nice.

I've been away long.

I'm tired.

In July, 809, Kukai went to Takaosan Temple in Kyoto.

Changan must be a beautiful city.

It's the world's culture center.

It's amazing.

Kyoto is an empty city.

It's new and has room for new culture.

What'll fill it?

Esoteric Buddhism.

I thought so.

Fill it immediately.

Is the new container ready for it?

Can I fill the capital?

The streets are vacant, the palace looks empty.

Half the courtiers went to Nara.

The ex-emperor has his court.

He took the courtiers with him.

Nara is the capital again.

It's the capital again!

I hear the ex-emperor issues orders on his own.

He's mentally ill.

At this rate, Japan will have two rulers and two capitals.

It already has.

If we left him have his way, Nara will be the capital.

What'll we do?

In China, An Lushan revolted.

He roped in the king's mistress.

He occupied Changan and called himself a king.

Then Pukung, an Esoteric Buddhist leader, built an altar

in front of the big army of An Lushan, and prayed to overcome the traitor.

Then what?

He fell ill and was killed by his son.

The Gung Dynasty was saved.

It's called Pukung's miracle.

Miracle?

I'll build an altar in Takaosan Temple.

I'll pray for the country.

For me?

For the country.

It's the secret of Esoteric Buddhism because by

Acarya Huikuo and Pukung.

Speak.

I decided to make Nara our capital.

We'll build a palace.

That's all.

Brother.

We'll issue orders here in Nara.

Kyoto will be deserted.

Nara will be Japan's only capital.

The ruler will be only one.

The emperor in Kyoto?

He's temporary emperor while the ex-emperor is ill.

The ex-emperor's recovered.

I have many dreams.

Encouraged by Kukai, the emperor decided.

What are they?

Some deer in the garden.

No.

Hoof beats.

Your Majesty!

What is it?

Soldiers are surrounding us.

Whose soldiers?

I'm General Sakanoue Tamuramaro.

Kusuko and Nakanari, you're under arrest on a charge of treason.

What's the garrison doing?

Let's run away.

To where?

To the east. We can gather soldiers there.

There's only one way to safety.

Passage?

Become a priest.

Then you'll be forgiven. There's no other way.

Cut off your hair.

Are you insane?

Cut it off!

Don't let him cheat you.

Help!

Cut off my hair!

If that's what you want, I'll help you.

What else do you want from me?

My life?

Your Majesty!

I'm tired.

Help! Help!

I thought I held rulership in my hand.

Cut off my hair!

Take me with you!

Your Nara Buddhism isn't real Buddhism.

It can't save people.

What do you mean it isn't real Buddhism?

Buddhism came here 200 years ago.

Our Buddhism has been propagated.

Tell me...

Is the purpose of Buddhism how to attain enlightenment?

To escape from suffering and attain enlightenment is our wish.

I think so, too.

But by your Buddhism, no definite way to attain

enlightenment is shown.

There are various ways to enlightenment.

No way is definite.

Then millions of people have no way of knowing it.

You also say some can attain enlightenment but others can't.

Yes.

Unless everybody can do it, Buddhism is useless.

Even wicked men, you mean?

Exactly. Unless they do, Buddhism is useless.

By your Buddhism, to save your own soul is enough.

Men are sinful. It isn't easy to even save yourself.

To save one is to save many.

If other people are saved, you'll be saved, too.

We've been waiting for new, strong Buddhism.

That's all.

To save people, to bring peace, and to make

paradise in this world...

That's Buddhism.

November, 812. Saicho sent a letter to Kukai asking to see him.

What does Saicho want?

To beat you and your Buddhism?

His Buddhism is approved by the king.

His Esoteric Buddhism is only part of it.

No. But yours isn't legally approved.

Approval is unnecessary.

My Buddhism is heaven's teaching.

Can you outspeak Saicho?

He's here.

I went to China to learn the system of Tendai Buddhism.

So I went to Mt. Tendai and was given the sutra texts.

On my way back, Priest Shunsiao taught me Esoteric Buddhism.

His Esoteric Buddhism isn't enough.

I know. I saw the list of the sutras you brought.

What you brought is areal treasure.

You're the only person who understands its real value.

Kukai.

I'd like to learn all about Esoteric Buddhism.

Please teach me the secrets of Esoteric Buddhism.

Stand up.

Your Buddhism is legally approved.

Mine isn't. I'm sorry.

I must know all about Esoteric Buddhism.

Please accept me as your pupil.

You're honest and sincere.

I'm glad to teach you.

Saicho became one of the pupils of Kukai.

Hoto Nyorai.

That priest.

Kukai.

Etsuetsu!

You're a success.

Even Saicho, the master priest, became your pupil.

Do you remember her?

The woman you saved in the cave at Fuji.

It's long time no see you.

I have a favor to ask you.

Will you make this child your pupil?

It's been her wish since the child was born.

What beautiful eyes!

Be my son.

You'll be Buddha's child.

It's been three months since I started training here.

When will I get the Dembo Kanjo?

The last ceremony to become an acarya?

It's the highest rank except for Buddha.

I must learn the secrets of Esoteric Buddhism.

Do you think three months is enough for that?

In Changan China, you learned everything from

Huikuo in a few months.

In Changan, it was a few months.

Then, me, too.

It wasn't only in China that I learned it.

I started learning it when I left school here in Kyoto.

I spent ten years in the mountains and by the sea to find the secrets.

Not only in Changan.

When will I learn everything and become an acarya?

Three years from now.

Three years!

You're special.

I can't be away from my temple for three years.

It was ten years for me.

I understand. I'll return to my temple.

I'll leave my pupil here.

Teach him for me.

I understand he's your heir as leader of Tendai.

That's right. His name is Taihan.

Consider him Saicho.

Kukai tried construct the whole system of Buddhism.

A letter came from Saicho.

Does he want to borrow another sutra?

Yes.

He's sorry he's too busy to come here to learn from you.

What sutra this time?

The Naya Sutra.

The Naya Sutra?

I'll write a letter.

Can't you lend it?

I'll write it now. Take it to him.

Kukai.

I received your letter.

You can't, lend me the Naya Sutra. Why not?

I lent you other fundamental sutras.

Why not the Naya?

It's special.

It's the most important of all.

Sol..

The content is, in a way, horrible.

For instance, Carnal desire is a form of enlightenment.

Enlightenment?

It approves the existence of lust.

Lust can't be suppressed.

Other sects of Buddhism tum away from it,

but we gaze at it.

You think you can attain it simply by reading the sutras.

Everybody can understand the teachings of Buddha

by reading the sutras.

No.

Japan imported foreign culture through books.

Didn't she?

That's why Japan can't read its reap its fruit.

Words alone can't tell everything.

Words, color, senses... together they tell what things are.

Buddhism is alive.

You can't describe it with words alone.

Look.

What words can describe Mandala?

It isn't through words that we feel Buddha is with us.

You already knew it.

I understand.

Then train my body so I can attain it.

Can you desert your Tendai Buddhism?

My Tendai Buddhism? How can you say that?

You think...

Esoteric Buddhism is one of your Tendai teachings.

That's right.

I want to unify the Buddhist sects into Tendai Buddhism.

Mine is everything.

It includes all the teachings of Buddha.

The real teaching of Buddha is our Lotus Sutra.

Taihan, let's go.

We don't have to stay here anymore.

Forgive me.

Forgive?

I'd like to stay here and learn Esoteric Buddhism.

What are you saying?

I'd like to become Acarya Kukai's pupil.

You'll desert me?

Forgive me.

You're heir to Tendai.

Disown me.

I'll stay here.

Forgive me.

You've taken away my dearest treasure.

Don't be afraid.

Propagate our religion so long as men live.

We'll go west.

Kukai left Kyoto?

Where to?

Anywhere he can save people.

Anywhere?

Will he return?

Maybe.

A plague.

Help!

Bum them, or we'll be infected.

Help my child at least!

Don't be afraid.

Bring other patients.

Give them medicine.

Eat a lot. Warm yourselves.

Give them food.

Priest. Priest.

Please release me from pain.

Living in this world tortures me.

Let me die and ease my pain.

See paradise in this world, not after you die.

How can see it in this world?

Be happy while you're alive. Paradise is in this world.

Try to see it.

There are only torture and pain here.

There's no next world.

You can't escape from this world.

Attain enlightenment in this world.

Be happy.

Find paradise.

Can we do that?

Of course you can.

Join your palms.

Collect your strength to live.

You have it within you.

It's the same strength that makes the universe live.

Call it up.

Like the wind...

Like the light...

Bring it up in your mind.

Let there be light!

Kukai is trying to save people, risking his life.

I'd like to build an altar on Mt. Hiei to save the country.

Please give me your permission.

You read the Nara priests' accusation.

They said your ambition is dangerous and unprecedented.

Nara Buddhism has only 250 commandments.

They're stale.

We need new commandments to light the way of our country.

They have their reasons.

I'll give you the same title as I gave Kukai.

The banks break every year, destroying the Fields,

killing people.

I remember.

When I was a boy, the banks broke every summer.

We have no big river in Sanuki.

Unless we have an artificial lake, we'll have no rice crop.

Kukai.

Can you make a lake that won't cause a flood again?

Eighty-eight small rivers flow into this lake.

We must build banks while there's no rain,

in forty to fifty days.

Fifty days? Impossible.

There's no other way for this land, the people on.

Gather the men who want to live here.

We'll make a lake here.

Or you can’t farm on live here.

We must build a long bank from here to that mountain.

A bow-like bank, thirty feet thigh, three times

stronger than a straight one.

You have fifty days.

If longer, the rivers will wash it away.

Impossible!

Not in 50 days!

Think of your suffering.

The floods killed your family.

Girls were sold.

Babies were forced to die.

Now's the chance to get rid of the pain.

Find happiness here.

Be happy in this world.

You live for it!

We have no power like that.

You have!

Your strength is stronger than you think.

I'll pray to keep the rain away.

For fifty days!

Fifty days!

I'll pray without sleeping at night.

Without sleeping!

Work night and day.

Then it'll be 100!

100 days!

Start working now!

Is it true Kukai's kept praying for days now?

It is true.

Will he pray for me, too?

You have nothing to fear.

I have.

I killed Kusuko.

The ex-emperor, too.

Does it torture you?

The rain!

The rivers will fill the lake in one night.

Then...

Hurry! Complete the bank tonight!

The rain's coming!

Hurry!

Chant strongly.

As if calling your parents.

Call the powers of heaven and earth.

Hurry up! The rain's coming!

The bank's going to break!

The lake is made.

This land is now blessed by Maha Vairocana.

You want to a temple?

In the mountains of Koya.

Why not in Kyoto?

We need a place for training.

It must be in a natural environment where we

hear the voice of heaven.

I'll miss you.

Prince Takaoka, the ex-emperor's son,

is in Nara as a priest.

So?

I'll take him to Koya as my pupil.

Your pupil?

For many decades, nearly a century,

the throne always smelled of blood were killed.

Like Shotoku Taishi, Prince Sawara, Prince Iyo,

Lady Kusuko, and so on.

Murder after murder rocking the nation.

Does the throne call for blood?

Do you have a bad dream every night?

Are you haunted?

That's right.

You could save me, but you're going away to Koya.

Why leave me?

Will you become Buddha incarnate in this world?

A living Buddha.

Leave the throne.

What are you planning?

Do you think I'm arrogant saying this to the ruler?

Do you want to execute me or exile me?

Are you ready to die?

Discard the rulership.

Give it to the crown prince?

No, not to the crown prince.

The Prince Otomo, your brother.

Your brother gave it to you.

The smell of blood will be gone.

No more bloodshed then?

Then rulers kill each other, people lose their strength.

They live in sheer poverty if not in anxiety.

I understand. I'll retire. My brother will reign.

I'll take the ex-emperor's crown prince to Mt. Koya.

I'll help.

Thank you just the same.

Koya Temple will be built with the money of the people.

Can they build a temple?

Every pillar and board will be brought by the people.

It will take many years, even centuries.

Do you hate to work for the country?

You'll be angry, but a country is a vision.

A vision?

What is it?

A report from Mt. Hiei.

Saicho died.

Saicho?

A beautiful star fell.

The emperor gave the throne to his brother.

That's good.

Are you Prince Takaoka?

He's Buddha's son now.

My present name is Shinnyo.

You were once heir to the throne.

I'm happier than being an emperor.

Happy?

I'll go beyond Changan, where you didn't go.

Beyond Changan?

India?

The new emperor immediately appointed his successor.

That's good.

The successor isn't his son, but the ex-emperor's son.

It's a beautiful display of brotherly love, so they say.

Kyoto will be peaceful.

Thanks to you.

Rulership is a vision.

But peace will last for at least thirty years.

Thirty years of peace ensued without strife in the court.

It was a miracle in history.

Don't worry. You'll be able to walk.

Thank you.

Where are her parents?

They died at sea.

You can give me food for them.

A handful of rice, a dried fish, anything.

I'm Kukai.

Kukai of Koya.

I'm building a house of training for souls.

If you want to be happy in this world, donate to me.

I'll release her of the burden.

Pray, Fusa.

Now walk.

In 823, Kukai was given a temple by the emperor.

This is Ten Stages, Dimensions of Encompassing.

Listen carefully.

This is how to attain enlightenment.

Minds move and waver high and low.

They change in variety.

It happens to my mind and to yours.

The first stage of mind is the mind of a beast

which is subject to its desire.

Human beings have, as Nature supplies,

carnal desire in their minds.

If you refuse it, you'll lose your mind and your body

as a living being.

Human beings will awaken to humanity and meet

the teachings of Buddha.

Lust can lead you to Bodhisattva.

You move from lower stages to higher ones

and finally you reach Bodhisattva.

If you try to learn Buddha's teachings, to save yourself

as well as others, you'll finally reach

the highest stage of mind and become like Buddha.

Please.

Please have some food.

You haven't eaten for ten days. It's unusual.

I'll die on March 21 at four o'clock.

Don't be sad.

Men are mortal.

It's only natural.

I'd like to make myself clean when I die.

Kukai fought himself to the last.

He even refused water for six days before he died.

I'm traveling.

I'm traveling toward the root of the universe.

It's time to depart.

My life was given by the origin of the universe.

Maha Vairocana is my parents.

I'm returning to Maha Vairocana.

Let me accompany you.

If you want to see me, call "Henjo Vajra.”

I'll be with you.

I'll live with you.

Send me away with your chant.

I'm going on a trip.

Kukai's departing.

He's going on a trip.

Yes. A long, long trip.

Eyen our parents, who gave us birth, do not know the origin of birth.

We, who received life, do not know where death leads to.

THE END