Buddhism Practices
Japanese Buddhism has many training methods. Among them, we introduce several training activities that are particularly unique and can only be seen in Japan.
① Shugendo
(Mountaineering Asceticism)
Shugendo is a form of religion and belief unique to Japan, with the aim of attaining enlightenment through rigorous training in the mountains.
Shugendō is a highly syncretic religion, a body of ascetic practices that originated in the Nara Period of Japan having evolved during the 7th century from an amalgamation of beliefs, philosophies, doctrines and ritual systems drawn from local folk-religious practices, Shinto mountain worship and Buddhism.
The final purpose of Shugendō is for practitioners to find supernatural power and save themselves and the masses by conducting religious training while treading through steep mountain ranges. Practitioners are called Shugenja or Yamabushi (literally "Mountain Prostrator").
The mountains where Shugenja is practiced are all over Japan, and include various mountains of the Ōmine mountain range such as Mount Hakkyō and Mount Ōmine.
The Shugendō worldview includes a large pantheon of deities (which include Buddhist and Shinto figures). Some of the most important figures are the tantric Buddhist figures of Fudō Myōō and Dainichi Nyorai.
Other key figures are Gongen, which are considered to be the manifestation of Buddhas as Japanese kami. Zaō Gongen is one of the most important gongen in Shugendō.
Experienced ascetic monks do this practices over several days, but beginners and tourists are recommended to do a course that can be completed in one day.
② Goma memorial service
(Ritual OF Making A Fire Offering）
Buddhism initially rejected the Goma memorial services as superstitious sorcery. However, when Buddhism became Esoteric Buddhism under the influence of Hinduism as time went by, it became as if this Goma ritual was central to Buddhism.
Partly because of this background, Goma has become a practice that exists mainly in esoteric Buddhism. Basically, it is performed in esoteric sects such as Shingon sect and Tendai sect in Japan.
The method of the Goma memorial service is to enshrine the principal image on a platform called a "Gomadan", light the furnace, burn the Goma wood, tie a sign in the hand and chant the mantra (Buddha's words). Then, throw the offerings such as five grains, five incense, perfume oil into the fire to hold a memorial service for the principal image, and pray.
Goma memorial services are sometimes held in the main hall of the temple, and sometimes outdoors.
③Takigyo
(Water fall practice)
Waterfall practice its called "Takigyo" is one of the training methods of many Japanese Buddhism sect, where you enter the basin of a waterfall and continue to chant sutras while being struck by the waterfall.
It is known as a rigorous spiritual training in which the body is submerged in the raging waters of a waterfall in the cold of winter.
During the performance, there is no room for distracting thoughts to arise, so all you have to do is concentrate on your mind.