Bring Kantarou down to earth! - Issue 3
As mentioned earlier, the Kuji-in’s roots lies in Mikkyo Buddhism. Practices involving the use of shingon/jumon (mantras), nenriki (visualization of symbols) and in-zou/ketsu-in (mudras - special ritual gestures formed by knotting the fingers in various complex patterns) are derived from the Mikkyo traditions.The triple-discipline of shingon, nenriki and in-zou is generally referred to as: sanmitsu, meaning “The Three Secrets” literally. It is through the study and practice of this discipline that adherents of “mainstream” Japanese Mikkyo Buddhism seek to awaken direct experience of Enlightenment.
However, in the hands of more ‘avant-garde’, shamanic-like, ascetic practitioners of Mikkyo - various groups such as the Senin, Gyoja and Shuhenja/Yamabushi mountain ascetics - sanmitsu evolved into a synergistic discipline of wide-ranging and profound practical and mystical application.
Possibly the most famous outgrowth of sanmitsu is the kuji-in (or kuji-no-in). Also referred to as kuji goshin ho [spiritual protection by the nine syllables of power], and sometimes as ju jutsu (Hence, if you noticed, the first track from Tactics Sound File Vol. 1 is also titled “jujutsu”.)
In its complete form, the kuji-in involves the fukushu [recitation] of the sacred nine-word shingon: "Rin-Pyo-To-Sha-Kai-Jin-Retsu-Zai-Zen" (臨兵闘者皆陣裂在前) combined with the performance of nine accompanying in-zou, and relevant nenriki visualisation; however, each of the nine component 'segments' of kuji-in has its own specific attributes and function and acts as a triggering mechanism for a very specific given intention.
[The number nine being considered a highly potent number in Japanese Buddhism.]
Sorry if this issue sounded too technical and dry. I’ll try to touch on more interesting issues next time...
Back issues:
One
Two
posted by empress @ 5:02 PM
0 Comments:
Kommentar veröffentlichen
<< Home