Anyone has good English resources for their sutras or practice method?
I wanted to expand and organize from a previous post HERE. Mods, please do whatever you like with this post, I just want to get the information out there.
Many of these are attributed to batteekha in the OP , Thank you!
Basics
-
Shingon: Japanese Esoteric Buddhism Book iBook, Goodreads link
On Ohenro Specifically
Please feel free to add to the List
I hope to scan my copy of LA Koyasan daily lay service manual and post it here soon as well. it coincides well with the Youtube video above.
Can anyone recommend some books or resource material on Shingon Buddhism? I’m looking for an alternative to Tibetan Buddhism but I can’t find much info out there on Shingon.
Many thanks
Not too well know outside Japan, Shingon is a form of Tantric Buddhism focused on Rituals, Secret Mantras and Initiations: Japanese folklore links Shingon with Magic and Psychic Powers.
I know that there are various branches of Shingon but only a very, very few are represented outside Japan.
BOOKS? VIDEOS? PERSONAL EXPERIENCES?
https://preview.redd.it/8dw5h1e8z6b71.jpg?width=474&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=346eac7a239a55fc91e29a32324c2e62611b0bca
I saw something on the internet saying that there are Shingon monasteries in Japan that have maintained their vinaya lineage.
Does anyone know if that’s true? And does anyone know an example of such a monastery?
I know historically they have differences (Tendai and Shingon are Japanese, Tibetan Buddhism is Tibetan) and they also have different practices, but what are some other major differences between these schools? Some basics that I know are that:
Tendai focuses on the Lotus Sutra, esoteric practices are for monastics only, has much more exoteric teachings compared to Shingon, uses many different skillful means to reach Buddhahood.
Shingon focuses on the Mahavairocana Sutra and the Vajrasekhara Sutra, focuses primarily on escoteric teachings.
Tibetan Buddhism has a wide variety of practices, has a balance of exoteric and esoteric teachings, has a strong foundation in study especially of Indian masters, has 4 classes of tantra with differing practices.
I know these are just some basics, but I'm hoping someone can include more detailed information to better understand these three traditions. Not so curious on history, but more on practice, teachings, and understandings that differ between the three.
Wanting to learn more about the sect, done some google dives but thought I'd ask here for suggestions
From the concluding diagram of Nichiren's important writing, The "Rooster" Diagram of the Buddha's Lifetime Teachings:
Object of devotion of the T’ien-t’ai (Nichiren) School school, the Thus Come One Shakyamuni as the Buddha who actually carried out practice and achieved enlightenment in the inconceivably remote past
Vairochana of the Flower Garland school, Mahāvairochana of the True Word school, and other Buddhas are all followers of this Buddha.
Manifested body Buddha has a beginning and has an end (Shakyamuni Buddha of India of the Dharma Characteristics and Therevadan schools)
Reward body Buddha has a beginning but no end (for example Amida of of the Pure Land School)
Dharma Body Buddha has no beginning and has no end (for example Mahavairochana of the True Word or Shingon school).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three bodies attained in the remote past as the Object of Devotion of the Tientai and Nichiren School... Manifested Body, Reward Body, and Dharma Body, all having neither beginning nor end
"When the Flower Garland and True Word schools speak of the three bodies that have no beginning and have no end, they are stealing the terminology of the T’ien-t’ai school and applying it to the sutras that are the foundation of their own schools." - Nichiren
The following is regarding the Dharma Wheel topic, Nichiren's Problematic Works: https://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=27653
Specifically, Nichiren is referring to Shakyamuni Buddha of the Juryo Chapter (16th) of the Lotus Sutra as the Three Bodied Tathagata, Generally, he is referring to each of us. This is the rational for attaining Buddhahood in this very body. In a sense, as RonnyMarch asserted, we could say (generally) that it also refers to the body of believers. However, as in the discussion of Nichiren's Problematic Works, Mr. Lamont is correct, Shakyamuni Buddha of the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus Sutra is a very real Buddha (Ji Butsu) possessing three bodies. As we learned in the 16 th Chapter, this Buddha can take on many forms (eternal Manifested Body) and does indeed have "a concrete or tangible character" (gutaikaku) or eternal Reward Body as well, of course, an eternal Dharma Body. As Nichiren stated in the beginning of this diagram, Shakyamuni Buddha of the Juryo Chapter is the Object of Worship of the Tientai and Nichiren sec
... keep reading on reddit ➡
So obviously in Tibetan Buddhism we have the Cakrasamvara Tantra, Kalacakra Tantra, and the like being way above the Sutras and considered huge for the respective schools.
What would be the biggest and most fundamental sutras and tantras in shingon and what do they basically convey that is so important for the school?
I have pretty bad focus issues and have trouble retaining information I've read. So with that in mind, what would be a good introduction to Shingon Buddhism? I live in Oregon so the Shingon temple in Portland is always an option.
I have heard that Shingon has some of the oldest most foundational texts that it uses for it's complete system.
Dzogchen has the most tantras and texts and development and Mahamudra is somewhat in the middle.
Anyone here knowledgeable enough to know the slight differences between each? Not super detailed but like knowing that these are the major texts/tantras/practices/philosophical paradigms of shingon, these are ttexts/tantras/practices/philosophical paradigms of dzogchen, and same with mahamudra?
Since this January, Ajari Jōmyō Tanaka has started holding monthly Shingon Esoteric Buddhism study and practice sessions in English at Tokyo. You can read a biography of the teacher written by his students at Vermont here. For more information about Shingon, please see this page.
Each session is divided into practice and study parts. Practice involves meditation, learning mantras and mudras, etc. (there is a compulsory English textbook that will be used in the programme; it can be bought on the spot for 3000¥). The study part is about a topic which changes every month. There is no need to have attended a previous session in order to join.
We will continue with the study of the Udanavarga, "an early Buddhist collection of topically organized chapters of aphoristic verses or "utterances" attributed to the Buddha and his disciples." in this session.
It will be held between 2-5 PM, Wednesday 23. The location is the 7th floor of the Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai Center Building (仏教伝道センタービル), located at Shiba 4-3-14, Minato-ku, Tokyo (東京都港区芝4丁目3-14); a 7-minute walk from Tamachi Station (田町) or a 2-minute walk from Mita Station (三田). Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/VJnXWvAi6Fz.
Because the rooms in the BDK building are rented, a 2000¥ contribution will be much appreciated to help cover the costs.
As opportunities to study and practice Shingon are still rare for the unordained, let alone English speakers, please do not hesitate to drop by if you have the occasion.
If you have any questions or are planning to attend, please contact me here or send an email to mandalatokyo@protonmail.com
Greetings, I noticed many Japanese style tattoos take elements that are very common in Shingon such as Fudo-Myo-O and Bonji Symbols. How are these kinds of tattoos viewed by Shingon practicioners? Are believers encouraged to get such tattoos? Is it accepable for monks to have these tattoos? Would it be seen as disrespectful for non-practitioners to get those tattoos? Thank you.
Is there guru yoga or karmamudra in Shingon? What would happen if you break the samaya in Shingon? What is meant by "True Dharma" in the samaya vow? What do you do with the fruit and rice on a Shingon butsudan?
Since this January, Ajari Jōmyō Tanaka has started holding monthly Shingon Esoteric Buddhism study and practice sessions in English at Tokyo. You can read a biography of the teacher written by his students at Vermont here. For more information about Shingon, please see this page.
Each session is divided into practice and study parts. Practice involves meditation, learning mantras and mudras, etc. (there is a compulsory English textbook that is used in the workshop; it can be bought on the spot for 3000¥). The study part is about a topic which changes every month. There is no need to have attended a previous session in order to join.
We will continue delving into the Udanavarga this session. It will be held between 2-5PM, Wednesday 18. The location is the 7th floor of the Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai Center Building (仏教伝道センタービル), located at Shiba 4-3-14, Minato-ku, Tokyo (東京都港区芝4丁目3-14); a 7-minute walk from Tamachi Station (田町) or a 2-minute walk from Mita Station (三田). Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/VJnXWvAi6Fz.
Because the rooms in the BDK building are rented, a 2000¥ contribution will be much appreciated to help cover the costs.
As opportunities to study and practice Shingon are still rare for the unordained, let alone English speakers, please do not hesitate to drop by if you have the occasion. If you have any questions or are planning to attend, please contact me here or send an email to mandalatokyo@protonmail.com
Since this January, Ajari Jōmyō Tanaka has started holding monthly Shingon Esoteric Buddhism study and practice sessions in English at Tokyo. You can read a biography of the teacher written by his students at Vermont here. For more information about Shingon, please see this page.
Each session is divided into practice and study parts. Practice involves meditation, learning mantras and mudras, etc. (there is a compulsory English textbook that will be used in the programme; it can be bought on the spot for 3000¥). The study part is about a topic which changes every month. There is no need to have attended a previous session in order to join.
The study topic of this session will be about the gosōjōjinkan, a meditation method based on the Vajrasekhara Sutra/Tantra, by which the practitioner aims at having a vicarious experience of Sakyamuni Buddha's experience under the Bodhi tree.
It will be held between 2-5PM, Wednesday 26. The location is the 7th floor of the Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai Center Building (仏教伝道センタービル), located at Shiba 4-3-14, Minato-ku, Tokyo (東京都港区芝4丁目3-14); a 7-minute walk from Tamachi Station (田町) or a 2-minute walk from Mita Station (三田). Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/VJnXWvAi6Fz.
Because the rooms in the BDK building are rented, a 2000¥ contribution will be much appreciated to help cover the costs.
As opportunities to study and practice Shingon are still rare for the unordained, let alone English speakers, please do not hesitate to drop by if you have the occasion.
If you have any questions or are planning to attend, please contact me here or send an email to mandalatokyo@protonmail.com
I would like to announce that starting from January 30, Ajari Jōmyō Tanaka will be teaching Shingon Esoteric Buddhism in English at Tokyo, once a month.
You can read a biography of the teacher written by his students at Vermont here. For more information about Shingon, please see this page.
The first session will involve the sutras of the Shingon school, Ajikan meditation, and studying the life of Kōbō Daishi Kūkai. The study topics will change every time, and the contents of practice will change over time as well. An English textbook for the ritual (mudras, mantras etc.) and meditation aspects has been prepared; it will be sold on the spot for 3000¥.
The location is the 7th floor of the Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai Center Building (仏教伝道センタービル), located at Shiba 4-3-14, Minato-ku, Tokyo (東京都港区芝4丁目3-14); a 7-minute walk from Tamachi Station (田町) or a 2-minute walk from Mita Station (三田). Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/VJnXWvAi6Fz.
The session will take place between 2-5PM. Because the rooms in the BDK building are rented, a 1000¥ contribution will be much appreciated to help cover the costs.
As opportunities to study and practice Shingon are still rare for English speakers, please do not hesitate to drop by if you have the occasion.
If you have any questions or are planning to attend, please contact me here or send an email to mandalatokyo@protonmail.com
Edit: 7th floor, not 8th 🙇
Edit 2: concerning costs, some wording.
