Hōmyō dōji facts for kids

Hōmyō dōji (ほうみょう童子) is an exciting story from Japanese folklore. It tells the tale of a brave young boy named Hōmyō who steps up to save another boy from a terrible fate. This story is filled with adventure, courage, and important lessons about kindness and faith. It also shows how one person's actions can change the beliefs of a powerful king.

The Story of Hōmyō Dōji

The tale of Hōmyō Dōji begins with a man who has a son. This family faces a big problem: their son is chosen to be a human sacrifice to a giant snake. In old stories, a human sacrifice meant giving a person to a powerful being, like a god or a monster, to make them happy or to stop them from causing harm. It was a very scary tradition.

A Brave Offer

Just when it seems the son will be sacrificed, a new character appears: a boy named Hōmyō. Hōmyō is very brave and kind. He offers to take the place of the other boy and sacrifice himself instead. Hōmyō's own father has passed away, so he feels a strong sense of duty and compassion.

Hōmyō is a follower of Buddhism, a religion that teaches about peace and understanding. As he faces the snake, a special helper appears. This helper is a Bodhisattva, which in Buddhism is a wise and kind being who helps others reach enlightenment. The Bodhisattva saves Hōmyō from being harmed by the snake.

Hōmyō Meets the King

After his amazing escape, Hōmyō meets the king of the land. This king does not like Buddhism, the religion that Hōmyō believes in. He has different ideas about how people should live and what they should believe.

Hōmyō bravely tells the king his entire story. He explains how he offered himself as a sacrifice, how a Bodhisattva saved him, and the lessons he learned. The king listens carefully to Hōmyō's incredible adventure.

The King's Change of Heart

Hearing Hōmyō's story deeply touches the king. He realizes the power and kindness of Buddhism. Because of Hōmyō's bravery and the miraculous events, the king changes his mind about the religion. He decides to become a Buddhist himself!

Not only does the king become a Buddhist, but he also decides to give up his job as king. He chooses to live a life focused on his new beliefs and spiritual growth. This shows how one young boy's courage can lead to big changes, even for a powerful ruler.

Where to Find the Story

The story of Hōmyō Dōji has been passed down through generations in Japan. You can even find old illustrated versions of the story called Hōmyō dōji e-hon. These are like picture books that tell the tale.

• Digitised scans of the Hōmyō dōji e-hon, Library of Congress, North American Coordinating Council on Japanese Library Resources: Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3.