Sanmichi Siddhism

Sanmichi Siddhism (Shirakawan: 燦密宗 Sanmichi-shū), also known as Canmi Siddhism (Saramosiri: Canmi-ton) is one of the major schools of Siddhism in Chisei, and one of the most prominent Western Escaric sects of the Guhyamārga Nikāya.

Introduced to Huaxia during the Chan dynasty by Arshavati monks, the tradition is known as the 'Can/Chan Esoterica' - the word San being the Yashiman reading of Huaxian 燦 Can. The tradition would later flourish in Chisei under the auspices of the Geusyoan monk Syaposa (聖法僧), who traveled to Chan Huaxia to acquire and request transmission of the esoteric teachings. For that reason, it is often called the Chiseian Esoteric Tradition, or Geusyoan Esoteric Tradition.

Sanmichi is one of two major Guhyamārga schools in Chisei, the other being the Iren school. Though predating the Iren school, Sanmichi is traditionally centered in Southern Chisei (Geusyo and western Shirakawa), while Iren is traditionally centered in Northern Chisei (Kitahashi, western Shirakawa and Saramosir). Though both broadly esoteric traditions, Sanmichi draws more from Huaxian monastic practices and is more influenced by other Western Siddhist schools, while Iren is heavily influenced by Eastern Siddhism.

Like many esoteric schools, the Sanmichi school's doctrines are closely guarded secrets, passed down orally among initiates into the. Sanmichi monks are best known among the Chiseian public for their various mystical rituals, which include exorcisms,, faith-healing and rituals to prevent natural disasters, and the school was historically heavily supported by the Chiseian states, and later the unified Chiseian court, for these purposes.