Tibetan Mandala

From 13;00 to 15:00 from March 31 till April 2, you can see Tibetan Mandala being made by Tibetan monks at DAIENIN temple in Koyasan.
I hear Tibetan Mandala is drawn by sand but I haven't seen the real one made in front of me. They are making Avalokitesvara(KANNON, the boddhisattva of mercy ) Mandara. It looked more detailed and precise than I had expected. Colorful sand is placed accurately in every detailed place. I wonder they can't even breathe or blink. Anyway I can't wait to see when it is completed.

First, to see them making Mandala, we are given a white cloth to offer to Dalai Blama. White cloth is considered as good offering to show our respect. We walk clockwise around Mandala to reach the alter. We also see many unique tools which are used for their rituals.
Sometimes, Tibetan Buddhism and Shingon Buhhism are sometimes said very similar.
And I think it is true too. They decorate 5 colored flags all around which contains the five element of the universe. Well, in Shingon Buddhism, they don't make this kind of mandala with sand.
They'll show their Mandala completed (They say they will harden it with some spray) and have Buddhist session at Koyasan University on April 3rd from 13:00. You can hear the explanation of Mandala by a professor at Koyasan University.
Tibetan SHOMYO (religious singing) and CHAM (religious dancing) are exibited as well.
Well, why don't you come and see?

Stop the hysteria

Many friends and people who once was guided by me sent very warm and kind concerns and messages. I really appreciate for that.
But at the same time, the travel alert in the foreign countries and some excessive news reports, many foreign tourists cancel their trip to Japan even they will never visit Eastern Japan.

The western Japan is totally safe and has no influence of the earthquake, tsunami and the nuclear crisis but the tourism in the west as well is facing the serious situation.
I know if one saw those terrible scenes repeatedly on TV or You Tube, you feel guilty to do something enjoyable. The nuclear power plan crisis is serious but it can be solved soon. It is 600-700 km away from Koyasan.
I dare to say people on the west love to help our fellow people in Tohoku and eastern Japan but we are also threatened by our daily life to encourage them and support them as well if we can't keep our daily lives.
So please do not stop traveling to Japan!
Please see this beautiful country and think about the sufferes and how you can really help them. You can also see how brave and patient in Tohoku Area who try to find out the right way to live there.

Even locals couldn't predicted

I'm usually not such a cautious person but I should be.
At this time of the year, I often make sure to ask some local friends of mine in Koyasan if I can drive up there without snow tires.
But even locals predict wrong.
It was absolutely sunny down the mountain but once I drove up, it looked like this. Can I drive back home safely after guiding?

Still Away From Spring?!

I thought spring has finally come but I came totally to the wrong place.
It sometimes happens here in Koyasan at this time of the year and we are pulled back to the freezer.
I love snow and winter but now I miss spring.

Coming Friday, March 11 (this year), HOIN-san who, among chief abbots of Koyasan temples, plays the role of Kobo Daishi through a year is relieved.
And this time of the year, it is always cold.
We should be well prepared for the cold weather.

Wednesday, September 8th in Koyasan

Here is attached a picture of Koyasan taken around sunset on September 5th.  

I've never seen such a rainbow (actually I should call it  a rain post or a rain pole)  before but even old lady who lived there over 60 years there hasn't seen one before, she said.  Is that something like an ill omen?  Anyway they have shower almost everyday after 2 weeks without any rain.  Each rain brings cool air but now after the typhoon rain and wind, the temperature here went down to 21 degrees Celcius!  It is quite cool.  But here comes the sun!

Actually the typhoon #9 didn't hit Kansai region but still it brought some rain and strong wind.

 

At the bottom of Koyasan (You know, actually there is no mountain called Mt. Koya), it is extremely hot yet.  People around my place reaped early rice yesterday before the typhoon.

 

I'm afraid we still have some heat for a while down Koyasan.  I try to come to Koyasan often so that I can stay cool.  

 

During Summer Vacation

At Daishi Kyokai, the training facility of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism, temple school for kids is open sometimes during summer vacation.  Some children participated temple school here at Daishi Kyokai and enjoyed working like little monks, playing games, exploring the town, reading and writing with making many friends.  Recently some foreign children got to join the school.  Closing ceremony was to be held today.

 

Also today, the boy scouts from Koyasan left for Nippon Jamboree.  They came here to ask Kobo Daishi to protect their safe journey and good experience.  I think boy scouts are world wide now even once they have started in England.  I wonder all over the world, different God, Buddha or Deity may protect their people.    

 

UCHIDANGI & MISAISHOKO (July 20, 21 and 22)

UCHI-DAN-GI this year was held July 19 and 20 （Lunar June 9th and 10th）at the Main Hall of Kongobuji.

UCHIDANGI is one of the traditional debates in Koyasan. Koyasan monks study hard and sophisticate themselves in the debates and make their way in their Buddhist life. Those debates are recited in the special melodious intonation. The recruits of special Institute called Kangakue to study harder about teaching of Kobo Daishi participate this debate for the first time and practice so hard for UCHIDANGI. This is the gateway to become the senior priests in Koyasan.
The traditional flower arrangement "GODANBANA (the five-story arranging)" are displayed in the ceremony.

From this evening till the next morning, on Lunar June 10th-11th, MISAISHO-KO is to be held at SAN-NO-IN (The Worship Hall for MIYASHIRO where KAMI, the protective Deities have been enshrined) at GARAN.
MISAISHOKO is originally the special rites to chant and praise the sutra written by Kobo Daishi, "KONKOMYOSAISHO-OHGYO" to pray for the prosperity of the country and the imperial messenger participate the rites. Later its form has changed into question and answer and last 2 days. After completing this, 2 senior priests can make their way to get the special title called "JOGO."
These rites are thought to be one of the most traditional and important ones in Koyasan.