Buddhist Chant – Shingon
Posted on May 11th, 2010 by admin
Shingon Teaching
Shingon is a form of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism, it is also called Shingon Mikkyo. This school was founded in 804 AD by Kukai (Kobo Daishi) in Japan. The teachings of Shingon are based on the Mahavairocana Sutra and the Vajrasekhara Sutra, the fundamental sutras of Shingon. Through the cultivation of three secrets, the actions of body, speech and mind, we are able to attain enlightenment in this very body. When we can sustain this state of mind, we can become one with the life force of the Universe, known as Mahavairocana Buddha. The symbolic activities are present anywhere in the universe. Natural phenomena such as mountains and oceans and even humans express the truth described in the sutras.
The universe itself embodies and can not be separated from the teaching. In the Shingon tradition, the practitioner uses the same techniques that were used over 1,200 years ago by Kukai, and have been transmitted orally generation after generation to the present. As Shingon Buddhists, there are three vows to observe in our lives:
May we realize Buddhahood in this very life.
May we dedicate ourselves to the well-being of people.
May we establish the World of Buddha on this earth.
Becoming a Buddha in This Very Life (Sokushin Jobutsu) The unique feature of this Shingon Teaching is that one does not become a Buddha only in his mind, nor does one become a Buddha after one has died. It means one is able to attain perfection of all of the qualities of a Buddha while one is yet living in his present physical body. An essay on the Bodhicitta (Bodaishin-ron) says: “One speedily attained great Awakening in the very body born of mother and father.” According to the Shingon tradition, all things in this universe — both physical matter, mind and mental states — are made up of some six primary elements. These six primary elements are: earth (the principle of solidity), water (moisture), fire (energy), wind (movement), space (the state of being unobstructed) and consciousness (the six ways of knowing objects). Buddha as well as ordinary human beings are made up of these six elements, and in this sense both Buddha and human beings are basically and in essence identical. When we realize this truth, then our actions, our words, and our thoughts will undergo and experience of faith which will cause them to be correct and purify their surroundings. This living, physical body will be able to achieve Buddhahood.
Salvation and Enlightenment. Shingon Buddhism grants salvation and enlightenment to human beings who would otherwise be caught in the cycle of birth and death. Once a person is able to enter the gate of this faith, he/she will be able to receive that salvation and guidance of many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. It is a religion in which that person will be fortunate enough to be able to recite the mantras that are the Buddha’s own words. Kobo Daishi explained two points as its special characteristics:
1. Attainment of enlightenment in this very body.
2. The present moment that clearly teaches the content of enlightenment.
He explained these two aspects throughout his writings like, “The Meaning of Becoming a Buddha in This Body,” “The Ten Stages in the Development of the Mind,” “The Meaning of the Secret Samaya Precepts of the Buddha.” It is a blessings of Shingon Buddhism to make it possible to come into direct contact with the practices leading to salvation. Shingon discipline The Shingon Teachings are broad and profound, and require strict discipline to put into practice. If we do not personally practice them in our daily lives of faith, then this treasure will become a useless possession. In actuality, we must manifest the teachings and practice of becoming a Buddha in this body in concrete form. The form of this faith is the developing one’s mind into higher stage and engaging in discipline. There are various meditation techniques in Shingon traditions including the practice for gaining secular benefits for others by using mantra chanting and mudra hand signs as well as seeking enlightenment in this very body for oneself.
Shingon Discipline
The followings are some of the major forms practiced by many practitioners: Susokukan (Basic meditation to find one’s own breathing pace) Gachirinkan (Moon Disc meditation) Ajikan (A syllable meditation) These practices are gateways into understanding the nature of Reality. Through these gateways we can experience many states of consciousness and as our skill develops we begin to have real insight into the nature of the unproduced state. Through these meditations we can experience the flow of energy from this state into this physical plane of existence. However, this state cannot be experienced without correct understanding of its doctrine and the guide by an authentic teacher.
Seicho Asahi
Northern California Koyasan Temple
http://www.koyasan.org/nckoyasan/introduction.html
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May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
@crabsncancer why …
@crabsncancer why not believe? why not have it to be a choice? but, please, i dont want to fight over the internet about religious beliefs. so if you disagree, then thats 100% ok man, but its just my beliefs. God had infinite power right? why couldn’t he do that?
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
@MrGrevy lol
@MrGrevy lol
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
@thetruthis9 No …
@thetruthis9 No they’re not you uneducated twit! Ever heard of Islam – freaking MORON
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Religion/religious …
Religion/religious practice has @ th core, no matter th faith, th aim of personal transformatn 2realise th very core or essence of our being. Th language used 2describe th process etc, may relate 2 God/gods, Allah, Emptiness or Nibbana. Th point is, negative aspects of being r eradicatd &positive aspects r nurtured. If any individual follow such teachings sincerely. They end up being in a purer state of existence/being, thus all religions have th same effect.
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
@Bric1022 What …
@Bric1022 What would lead you to believe that?
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
buddhism is not one …
buddhism is not one thing it refers to many different things. Zen is a different approach than tibetan buddhism. there are also some buddhists that are theistic. In india many buddhists also do hindu practice such as kundalini yoga and have philosophical outlooks that seems to promote pantheism
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
They should join up …
They should join up with Philip Glass for an even more pleasing sound.
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
@ …
@AnotherAppleMacbook no i believe reincarnation is a choice that you can make.
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Namo Amituofo…
…
Namo Amituofo…
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May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
@Bric1022 how are …
@Bric1022 how are you a buddist baptist? do you not believe in reincarnation?
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Thank you.
Thank you.
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
@thetruthis9 well …
@thetruthis9 well said. People blame a religion for what transpires,but it isn’t the religion that brings about suffering and war. Rather, it is those who use religion as a motivation to fuel the fire.
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
trippy stuff…
trippy stuff…
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
The chant is very …
The chant is very peaceful. I like it.
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Tuesday, May 4, …
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Buddhist Extremists Drive Christians from Village in Bangladesh
Villagers upset with establishment of church break up prayer meetings, invade homes
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
all chanting is …
all chanting is beautiful, whether it’s christian, muslim, sufi, buddhist etc. It’s the human voice elevated to a spiritual sphere. The human voice digs ‘deep’ into the soul when singing spiritually.
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
@shutchuk Totally …
Spiritual system based on tolerance and enlightenment, peace and kindness to others. Accepting that suffering is part of life, realisation.
@shutchuk Totally right
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
1.cover your mouth …
1.cover your mouth with your hand.
2.make a wish.
3.close your hand(fist)
4.hold your hand to your heart.
5.send this to 3 more videos.
6.tomorrow will be the best day of your life v
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
does anyone …
does anyone actually know what thy’re saying when chanting I want to know what it means? Anyone?
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
can you tell me …
can you tell me more about exactly which mantra this is?
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
remember people. …
remember people. Buddhism is not a religion. its a path. because Buddha never said worship me, and you dont pray to him. im Buddhist-Baptist.
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
I know suffering …
I know suffering from anxiety, panic disorder, ocd, agaraphobia and more is tormenting, I know I suffered through it for 7 years. I have been completely free from it for over 5 years now. Feel free to check out my testimony by going to my channel or my site fuentesevangelism.c-o-m
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
@shutchuk
Religion …
@shutchuk
Religion doesn’t need to be theistic.
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Actually Buddhism …
Actually Buddhism is not a religion in the traditional sense because it is basically non-theistic. It doesn’t require a God figure as most other religions do and doesn’t dictate particular religious mantra or practise. Also it does not threaten individuals with eternal damnation if they do not follow specific religious beliefs.
It is also far more tolerant of others beliefs and ideas as far as I have found in my short time on this planet (50+ years).
May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
does anybody know …
does anybody know where from is this sculpture shown on the photo?