七福神の一神に数えられる大黒天はインドの神様です。インドから中国、そして日本へと伝来してきました。仏教の大黒天 ( 摩訶迦羅 ) のご本体は久遠 ( 永遠なるもの ) のお釈迦様の変わられたお姿とも云われております。

黒色で恐ろしく険しい姿であったのが、鎌倉期の頃より大国主命と結びつき、私たちがよく知る、福相に左手に袋、右手に槌、米俵に乗られたお姿となり、えびす神と共に知れわたりました。

日蓮宗の宗祖、日蓮大聖人もあつく信仰され、大黒天に関する論述も残されました。

大黒天神法には、「もし安置し供養せば、千人の人を養い厨房を潤す。もし三年専心に供養せば、必ず富貴・官位・福禄を授与す。必ず自然に栄え、楽しみが倍増して四季に美しい味の食を備える」と。その誓願を慈眼視衆生 福寿海無量 ( 慈眼をもって衆生を視る 福寿の海無量なり ) と云い、戦・商売 ( 貿易 )・富貴・堂屋・食物を守護される神様であり、また 身も心も貧しき人に福を与え、皆令離苦 得安穏楽 ( 一切の人をして苦を離れしめ 安穏の楽しみを与える ) でもある、「寿福円満 開運招福」の福の神であります。

Daikokuten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, is an Indian god. Introduced from India to China, and then to Japan. The Buddhist Daikokuten’s (Mahakala) real form is also said to be the changed appearance of the Kuon (eternal) Buddha.

Daikokuten was black in color and terrifyingly severe in appearance. He was associated with Okuninushi since the Kamakura period and then became known through his association with the well-known happy Ebisu god who is often seen standing on a bag of rice with a lucky bag in his left hand and a hammer in his right. 

The founder of the Nichiren sect, Nichiren Daishonin also worshipped Daikokuten, and a statement about Daikokuten was left behind by him. 

In Daikokuten Shinpo (a text on Daikokuten) it is written ‘If you enshrine and hold a memorial service, it will feed a thousand people and make a profit for the kitchen. If for three years you devote yourself to the memorial service you will always be rewarded with wealth, status and happiness. You will prosper naturally, your pleasures will double and you will have food that tastes delicious in each of the four seasons.’

This text illustrates Jigenjishujo Fukujukaimuryo (look on all living things with compassion and become immeasurable like a sea of happiness). Daikokuten is a god that protects battles, business and trade, wealth, housing and food. He also gives good fortune to the poor (both body and soul), Kairyoriku Tokuannonraku (gives everyone peace and relief from suffering) and is the god of good luck and good fortune.