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 ...
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.
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You are probably thinking of hinduism. Look at it with an open mind and you may find something better than your own dogma. I do not mind the belief in Christainity, it holds as much merit as any other religion, I guess. The Bible isn't bad if you take some of its morals. If you start hating on others simply because they believe something different then you are plain wrong. Period. End of Story. I'm not saying this because I think tohno is a hater, just that I notice some bickereing below.
Buddhism is so weird they have so many gods guan yin,guan yu, much much more..my buddhist friends don't even know who are they praising.(I am a Christian not a buddhist)
ALL paths can lead to the Way referred to by the Toaists, provided that the person on the path has the genuine intention to become a more compassionate, and less judgemental being. The Philosophy is unimportant; what matters is that Kindness is the Motive.
What do you know about christianity? Do you have the slightest ideia of it? I'm christian, and I'm aware and indulgent for all forms of undersanting for our universe. Please, dont' discriminate, or even offend people like that, it isn't fair. The Lord as teached me to forgive, so I forgive you from your offenses to my belives :). Vai com paz, vai com Deus (trans: go with peace, go with God)
buddhanetDOTnet/e-learning/ind exDOThtm theres plenty of other websites and books to get started. The best way would arguably be to join a group of some kind. But I think its more important to remember that the Buddha found his own way to spiritual fulfillment, and that he was just as much human as you and i. So don't worry about following a Buddhist life perfectly, I think it's most helpful to see it as a philosophy or a guidance, and to be inspired by the Buddha's core teachings
Autoshare makes certain YouTube activities public on the services you choose. Select only the services you are comfortable with - like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Reader - to let your friends know what you like on YouTube. You can turn Autoshare off at any time.
I'm not saying this because I think tohno is a hater, just that I notice some bickereing below.
The Lord as teached me to forgive, so I forgive you from your offenses to my belives :).
Vai com paz, vai com Deus (trans: go with peace, go with God)
theres plenty of other websites and books to get started. The best way would arguably be to join a group of some kind. But I think its more important to remember that the Buddha found his own way to spiritual fulfillment, and that he was just as much human as you and i. So don't worry about following a Buddhist life perfectly, I think it's most helpful to see it as a philosophy or a guidance, and to be inspired by the Buddha's core teachings