What differentiates Shingon Buddhism from other sects?
Use of mantras, mudras, and icons
Emphasis on meditation
Practice of non-violence
Focus on philosophical discourses
Answer
The defining characteristic of Shingon Buddhism lies in its use of mantras, mystical syllables or phrases; mudras, symbolic hand gestures; and icons, sacred images or representations, believed to embody the enlightened qualities of the Buddhas. These ritual elements serve as tools for practitioners to connect with the divine, invoke spiritual powers, and embody specific teachings or qualities of the Buddhas.
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