Inspired by the Journey to the West, Gandhara is devoted to both Western and Eastern Truth.
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ - Hail the Lord whose name eliminates spiritual darkness.
Om Ganeshaya Namaha (ॐ गणेशाय नमः) - Homage to Ganesha.
Unconditional love tranquilizes the mind, and thus conquers all.
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Plunge boldly into the Beyond, then be free wherever you are.
"En'ni, the founder of Tofukuji, is also known by the name Shoitsu Kokushi..."
"As a child he studied with Gyoben of Kunoji, and took one character of his teacher's name to form the name Ben'nen. In Jokyu 1 (1219), he entered the priesthood at Onjoji in Omi province at the age of 16 and received the Buddhist precepts at Todaiji. Then he studied Zen and Tendai Buddhism with Shakuenbo Eicho of Kozuke Chorakuji and Daikatsu Ryoshin of Jufukuji before traveling to China in Katei 1 (1235)."
In those days it was common for sons of aristocrats and samurai to be sent to a Zen master for study in the priesthood.
One of the oldest of Buddhist temples is Jufukuji , having been erected around AD 1199 in memory of the late Minamoto emperor, Yoritomo Minamoto, by his loving wife, Masako of the powerful aristocratic clan, the Hojo.
4 comments:
Shoitsu biography:
"En'ni, the founder of Tofukuji, is also known by the name Shoitsu Kokushi..."
"As a child he studied with Gyoben of Kunoji, and took one character of his teacher's name to form the name Ben'nen. In Jokyu 1 (1219), he entered the priesthood at Onjoji in Omi province at the age of 16 and received the Buddhist precepts at Todaiji. Then he studied Zen and Tendai Buddhism with Shakuenbo Eicho of Kozuke Chorakuji and Daikatsu Ryoshin of Jufukuji before traveling to China in Katei 1 (1235)."
In those days it was common for sons of aristocrats and samurai to be sent to a Zen master for study in the priesthood.
Indeed, the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism was observed by the samurai class.
At the Buddhist temple of Kunoji , a copy of the Lotus Sutra was translated into Japanese.
During the Tendai conflict, the Onjo temple was set on fire several times by soldier priests(sohei) from a rival sect since AD 1081.
This was due to the Tendai sect splitting off from the main Buddhist temple complex on Mt. Hiei in AD 933 due to a conflict between sect leader Ennin - also head priest of the powerful Enryakuji - and Enchin, the succeeding leader. His clan were the Wake, and had sponsored Saicho, Tendai's original leader.
Enchin's group established their temple, the Onjoji in Miidera, which is not far from Mt. Hiei.
Both Onjoji and
Kozuke Chorakuji serve as a backdrop for the Tale of Genji.
One of the oldest of Buddhist temples is Jufukuji , having been erected around AD 1199 in memory of the late Minamoto emperor, Yoritomo Minamoto, by his loving wife, Masako of the powerful aristocratic clan, the Hojo.
Thus the quote becomes more an inspiration to samurai going into battle, while rival clans vied for power and control of land in ancient Japan.
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