 Around 4,000 years ago, deities were created in Indian thought. These embodied the world of nature around us and provided us a deep connection to the forces which control our existence. By the beginning of the first millennium BC, great philosophic ideas which were to last forever were being crystallized in the Indian subcontinent. The material world around us was seen to be Maya or Mithya, an illusion. The high purpose of life was to lift the veils of this illusion to see beyond. To break the spell of the transitory world of sansara. In this age, numerous thinkers gave up the attractions of the material world. To search for the truth, the best known renunciator of the period was Gautama Siddhartha, known as the fourth or the seventh Buddha or enlightened one. Millions of his followers continue till today as one of the great religions of the world, Buddhism. Worshippers meditated on the Buddha and hoped one day to gain true knowledge. In the meantime, the culture of the deities who personified the forces around us continued. These kept us in a deep harmony with the natural order of which we are apart. The deities helped us to live in the world with a true sense of reverence and harmony. The first formalized deity seen in Buddhist Tupa railings in the second century BC is Gajalakshmi. This is Lakshmi with elephants who pour water upon her. She represents the bountiful abundance of nature upon which we all depend. The earliest representations of Indra and Surya are seen in the Buddhist caves of Bhaja in western India in the second century BC. Nagas, divine serpents were made. They embody the protective forces and harmony of the natural order. Along with the ideas of Buddhism and Hinduism, the culture of Indian deities travelled across the whole of Asia. Very interestingly, more than 80% of Japanese gods are originally Indian gods. This close relationship between the people of India and Japan has not been known to most people. Well-researched books on the subject are also not available. Most of Japanese don't know. For example, I live in Kichijoji outskirts of Tokyo. This Kichijoji literally means temple of Kisho goddess. And Kisho is originally Lakshmi. So thus I came from Lakshmi town. This should be recognized by Japanese people. The bottom of Japanese culture, Indian culture is very strongly imprinted and developed in the Japanese way. In the country where Buddhism was born, India admired it very much. In Japan, from ancient times, they called it Tenjiku. They admired it very much. In the word Ten, the name was used as a symbol of admiration. I think that Japanese people admire India very much. In the Meiji period, Japan also became an international society. Japanese people were able to come to India. In that way, Buddhism, Saranam, Gacchami, Sankemon, I think they came to Japan and started to use Sankemon to study Buddhism. In the olden days, Sankemon was the first to be held in New York. The Todaiji Temple at Nara is one of the oldest and most revered temples of Japan. The 48 feet high Verochana here is the largest bronze statue in the world. Already in the 8th century, Indian Buddhist monk named Bodhisenna has arrived in Japan. He inaugurated the eye-opening ceremony of the great Buddha of Todaiji Temple in 752. He was believed to be born in South India. At that time, the Japanese emperor insisted upon inviting the original Indian monk. So for this, the Japanese emperor dispatched a special mission to ask the high priest of the Indian monk to come to Japan. So he was nominated as high priest and to be grandmaster to conduct the ceremony of the great Buddha eye-opening. He was escorted by two disciples. One is a Vietnamese monk, another is an Iranian monk. And this team brought with them so many Indian cultures. The Japanese were always very keen to see that they were in close touch with India. So when the Daibutsu at Nara was consecrated, they got the Indian dances from Champa where the Indian kings were ruling on the coastline of modern Vietnam. When the Daibutsu at Nara was to be consecrated, the emperor got eight dance forms from Champa and these eight dance forms were alive till the Meiji Restoration that is the late 19th century. But out Champa and these eight dance forms were alive the Meiji Restoration that is... Bodhisenna was given the title of Baraman Sojo, Brahman Bishop. He was also honored as one of the four saints of the Todaiji temple. Bodhisenna and Buddhist temple, they then went to a temple nearby Daianji where they started the teaching of Sanskrit in Japan for the first time. It was 736 years ago when the Daianji was established. Bodhisenna, Bodhisenna, was a Buddhist temple in India. He is being worshiped by the young generation as giving success in examination, success in getting good service and so on. The Sanskrit language was introduced in Japan in two ways. The first was in the form of Sanskrit studies and the second was as a basis for the formation. Japanese monks had to study Sanskrit out of necessity in order to master Buddhism from the original Indian sutras and textbooks. As an instance ancient texts of the Prajnaparamita Sutra written in Sanskrit are kept till today in the Horyoji temple. These are well known to be among the world's oldest existing Sanskrit manuscripts written on palm leaves. When the Japanese studied Sanskrit in the 8th and 9th centuries Sanskrit was synonymous with the Siddham script. This was used for writing Sanskrit since the 5th century in India. The Japanese and Indians were very closely connected. If you go to a Japanese tomb, you may find Siddhan letters. No Japanese can read these letters written on the tomb timber. Very interestingly, the Siddhan letters disappeared in India are still used in Japan for tombs to respect the soul. And again in Japan there is Koya San temples. In this Koya San temples they have still Siddhan Sanskrit schools. Many monks are learning this Sanskrit but Sanskrit is Siddhan letters. So perhaps Japan is a time-capsule of Indian culture. Already India disappeared. There is a deep relationship between Kana, the Japanese alphabet and Sanskrit. The structure of sounds of Sanskrit and Japanese Kana are almost exactly the same. And this Japanese alphabet, the pronouns, A-E-U-A-O, like Sanskrit exactly as the Sanskrit. Japanese letters pronunciation follows the Indian sequence. In Japan they also use the Indian letters for writing of sacred syllables which have the power of mantras. Every Buddhist monastery in Japan has a seal in which there is a Bidakshara, a sacred syllable as a short name of the monastery. Japanese language is a different family, has nothing to do with India. But there are some words in Japanese which are derived from Sanskrit or from Seva service. And there are about 100 Sanskrit words which are used in Japanese. Most of the Japanese they are using that but without knowing that that is originally from Sanskrit. Suppose like they call the Buddhist temples at Thera. Most of the Japanese they are using that but without knowing that Thera means a Buddhist monk, a bhikkhu having 10 years experience. And like they call the employer or their boss in Olden Japan as Danna-san. Even now also they call Danna. Danna means that is also. And like they call the employer or their boss in Olden Japan as Danna-san. Even now also they call Danna. In the words of His Excellency, Mr Yasukuni Enoki. As I come from the Japanese Lakshmi town, it is no great surprise to me to find that Japanese life is full of so many Hindu deities. One of the most revered deities of Japan is Saraswati. There are scores of shrines built to her. In many ways the original concept of Saraswati and her association with the natural order and good fortune are very well preserved in Japan. She is often visualized as a sacred body of water. In Japan we find the continuance of so many early ideas of Indian philosophy. I think that there are two major categories of Japanese deities. One of them is the eight hands. And the other type is the two hands of two people. The hands of two people are the same as the hands of the gods of India. The hands of the gods of India are the same as the hands of the gods of India. The annals of the Todaiji temple mention that the celebration of the worship of Lakshmi and Saraswati was held for the first time in this temple in 722 AD. Ever since it has been an annual celebration. In 1836 Saito Satchio wrote a guidebook to the Edo area or modern Tokyo. Saraswati was mentioned as the most popular deity here at that time. In 1934 Lady Chibin Sonyo felt that she had become an incarnation of Saraswati. She started writing in Sanskrit though she had never studied the language. She founded the Benten Shu Saraswati sect. This sect holds water as divine as it is the abode of Saraswati. We are reminded that Saraswati is the personification of the great river which once flowed in India. Benten Shu also worships her to bestow eloquence and learning. The belief in the seven deities of fortune arose in Japan in the 16th century. In them Saraswati is the deity of wealth. These seven deities are found in every home. Among them are Daya Koku, Mahakala, Bishamon, Kubera, Benten, Saraswati, Kangi Ten, Shoten, Ganesha, and Kichi Joten, Lakshmi. A group of Japanese scholars have been researching the subject of Saraswati. This is called Benten Mandara. Saraswati is located in the middle. In the surrounding area, there is the Buddha, the Buddha of Buddhism, and the god of Indochina. There is also the god of the Shinto of Japan. All of these deities have been established. This is called Benten Mandara. It was created during the Edo period. Even the people of Indochina know the form of Benten Mandara. Saraswati is a different form of Indochina. Even in Japan, they know that Saraswati is being celebrated. I hope that they can reach out to Japan as well. Worship of Lakshmi was done to ensure the peace of the land, wind and rain in good season, good harvests, joy of the people, and the good of all sentient beings. In the year 768, the office of the Prime Minister decided that the worship of... in the year 768, the office of the Prime Minister, scrolls of Lakshmi were distributed for worship to all temples. The great intellectual genius of Japan was Kokai Okobo Daishi of the 9th century. He learned the Sanskrit script from the Kashmiri Acharya Pragya. Kokai Okobo Daishi placed emphasis on the knowledge of Sanskrit. He said that the Japanese have had to rely upon translations to study Buddhism. However, the true words in the original language are exceedingly important. Every word has a profound meaning. In the Japanese language, the Sanskrit is the same as the P habanahya. In the Bishamo, it is called an Ombaishiravana Swahaa. What is the word? The Ombaishiravana Swahaa is a Japanese word. For example, Sarasvati, in Sarasvati's case, it's called On Sarasvati Saraka. On Sarasvati Saraka. The god of the temple, Mantra, uses the Indian tradition as it is. It doesn't translate to Japanese or Japanese. Sanskrit is said to not translate to Japanese. When I went to China, the air was already very shallow. The air was very shallow. And it was the time of the Japanese. At that time, I received it from Sarasvati. I opened the door of the temple. The way of worship is also like that. The mantras are placed under the sutra. Mantra is the mantra. So it's a mudra. It's also a mudra. And there is a sadhana. There is also a sutra. It's not a Japanese tradition. The Indian tradition is especially called Mikkyo. The power of the god of the temple is received. And the name Vajra, Sarasvati, is called Vajra Sarasvati. It's called Mikkyo. The Vajrayana Buddhist traditions of Japan trace their knowledge back to India. To Nagarjuna and other great Acharyas of the Nalanda University. The Lotus Sutra is a major spiritual creation with a profound impact on life in Japan. It was translated from the Sanskrit by Kumara Jiva, 1600 years ago. A temple is dedicated to the deity Indra in the Shibamata area of Tokyo. It is a most important Indra shrine today. In Rig Veda, in the 13th century, Indra Shrine was called Taishakuten in Japan. Taishakuten is our daily practice. We have been practicing it for 5 years. It was opened in 1629. In the early 20th century, about 200,000 people were seen in the early 20th century. In the early 20th century, about 200,000 people were seen in the early 20th century. Varuna has been worshipped in many temples in Japan to prevent droughts, typhoons and floods which occur often in Japan. A shrine was dedicated to Varuna in the Fudodo Sanctuary in Tokyo in 1836. The temple also has a representation of Kamadeva. He is worshipped by many young couples. There are many temples dedicated to Yama in Japan. The Yama Shrine is located in Rig Veda in India. This is the first Yama Shrine in India. The Yama Shrine has changed into the Yama Shrine. It is the most ancient temple to Lord Ganesha which has been in use for the last thousand years. Young boys and girls go there to be successful in their courtship. Merchants go there to gain success in their business. The oldest which has been continuously in worship for the last thousand years. I don't think anywhere in the world we have a temple to Lord Ganesha who has been there. There is a constant worship for the last millennium. The cultural interflow between India and Japan over the last 1400 years is overwhelming. In the 7th century Prince Shotoku created the nation state of Japan after vanquishing his rivals. He took the term Tenno for Emperor from Sanskrit texts. It is very interesting to note that when Buddhism went to Japan, Shotoku Taishi, the Prince Regent at that time, he wrote commentaries on three Sanskrit works. And these three commentaries written by Prince Shotoku Taishi are the beginning of Japanese literature. And at the same time he also wrote down a constitution for his country in 17 articles. Article 3 of the constitution clearly points out that the constitution is being based on the Three Ratna, the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. This is the first Asian constitution ever written. Important point is that its consecration was done with a Sanskrit text which is called the Ushnisha Vijaya Dharani. The Sanskrit manuscript used for the consecration of the constitution would have been obtained from the Hindu kingdom of Champa in Vietnam. When Emperor Shomu of Japan wanted to unite the country, he said, well, the every monastery in Japan, Emperor Shomu of Japan wanted to unite the country. So he said, well, the every monastery in Japan will have some Sanskrit. This is the first Japanese constitution ever written. This is made in the Edo period in 1683. In the Second World War, the sun appeared, and the stars appeared on the wings of the roof in the middle of the Second World War. The stars appeared on the wings of the roof in the middle of the Second World War. The stars appeared on the wings of the roof in the middle of the Second World War. In the Second World War, the stars appeared on the wings of the roof in the middle of the Second World War. The worship of the constellations, Nakshatra, and of the Navagraha, to ward off evil in life, are a shared culture between India and Japan. There is a Japanese ancient astrology that is fair to the Indian system of Nakshatra or Lunaman. It is about 27 or 28 Nakshatras that are a character depending on the year. There are nine stars used for this Hoshimatsuriyo Star Festival, which are the seven stars linked to the days of the week, plus Rago and Keito, which are quite obviously linked to the ninth planet. Havan or Homa continues in Japan, where it is called Goma. Goma in the Shingon and Tendai Buddhist sects of Japan, has striking parallels with early Hindu rites of Agni worship. There are also deep similarities with the later Tantric traditions. The Havan is perhaps conducted in Japan, at least as often as in India. The Tantric Shingon School of Japan sings Sanskrit hymns. To this day, followers of the sect perform their worship in 1200 temples throughout Japan. There are many people who worship Goma. We are now living in the world where we live in reality. We are living in the world where we live in reality. We are living in the world where we live in reality. We are living in the world where we live in reality. To this day, we are here in the world where we live in the world. We are living in the world where we live in reality. We are living in the world where we live in reality. Please do not forget to watch the show, and we will be working with you, Vajrayana Buddhist worship in Japan is similar to Tibetan Buddhist worship. However, the Japanese tradition has preserved some early Vajrayana rites. A study of Japanese Buddhism helps to fill some gaps in our understanding of the development of Buddhism. There are four types of mantras in Japanese Buddhism. These mantras are used in Japan. These mantras are not in Japanese, but in Sanskrit, or in Pali. In Sanskrit, it is called Acharanata. In India, it is called Hindukyo or Shibashin. In India, it is called Bidoya or Shibashin. In India, it is called Bidoya or Shibashin. A sutra compares the cosmic force of the mantra with the mighty roar of a rising flood. The mantras were transcribed into ideograms and to conserve their full power, they were also written in Siddham. Indian letters to a Japanese are sacred and stand for divine beings. To this day, the Japanese write mantras in Siddham. There are seven mantras in the sutras. These mantras are written in kanji. Even if we say the mantras, we usually write them in kanji. We often think that we need to study the sutras. But when we start to write the sutras, we tend to feel a little uncomfortable even in the old Indian language. These mantras are the mantras of the Mahayana. Therefore, these mantras are the mantras. Buddha, God, and so on and so forth. We have to take care of them together. This is Daikoku-sama's temple, and the temple is located in the middle of the temple. It is a temple that is used to take care of the Buddha and the Buddha. It is a stamp, for example, for the five temples. That's where the Bonjijiji, or the Bonjiji of Gohonzon, appears. There is a unique note with a stamp on it. It's stored there and kept. Then there is a piece of paper. It is attached to the place where the Gohonzon should be placed. It is a way to protect yourself as a Gohonzon or as a Gohonzon. That's how it is used. When you go to the hotel, you will see the Bonjiji of Gohonzon. It is a Bonjiji of Gohonzon. You will be able to take it home. So this is a long, long association between India and Japan. This script is still believing as an object of worship. This is the Muromachi Kamakura era. It is a festival in reality. We are from Zendera. We have a lot of problems with the Shorou temple. We have to work hard to make sure that the temple is built. We have to go to a good place to study. We have to go to hell. We have to work hard to get to the hell. We have to work hard to get to the hell. That is the principle of our study. This is the way we have been attracted to the temple. Bodhidharma has been transmitted to Japan also. Mist surrounds the legend of Bodhidharma. Tradition points out that he was a prince of Kanchipuram in South India. The Japanese form of his name is Boday Daruma. It is very close to the Tamil form which is Bodhidharma. Zen was introduced in the 6th century. It was a wordless tradition, directly pointing to the human mind and the perception of one's true nature. Zen was taken to Japan in the 12th century by Isai. Its influence on Japanese art, attitudes and language has been profound. Zen Buddhism became very popular because it says that life is a fleeting phenomenon. In this feeling they go to war and there is no fear of death. So fearlessness in this feeling, they go to war and there is no fear of death. So fearlessness in war was a very important contribution of the Zen tradition. And when we sit down in a Zen monastery, we have to really have very high penance. And hard work in Japan became a very important part of the modern development, perfection in everything. When I first came to India, I went to Narada University. I also went to Buddha Gaya and the Japanese monks who were walking in the temple. It was a long time ago. Even though I went to Narada University, I couldn't find any discovery. There was a university where the Buddha Gaya was taught here. I was impressed by it. India is our Buddhist roots. There was no Buddhism in Japan without India. At that time, I became the third monk of the Buddha Gaya. He said that he wanted to go to India. He had such a strong wish. And he actually went to India for a trip. He was the first monk. He was the third monk of the Zen monastery. In Japan, when I was there, I think in 1970, there was a yoghurt called Sujata in allusion to Lord Milt's preparation. And after her offering here, and after her... Even in India, even in Japan, there are many gods in the world. They communicate with each other. I think India and Japan are connected in the same way. I think it's one of the proofs. In the olden days, there was an exchange between India and India. In the first Nobel Prize in Asia, the Tagore Shiga, which was awarded to the first Nobel Prize, was sent to the University of Otae. The University of Otae was sent to the University of Otae by Dr. Meiyo. I have a deep relationship with him. Japan is the one country where Buddhism is flourishing in all its facets. Here, technology and transcendence are living together. The deep-rooted spirit of Buddha's teachings energize the Japanese people. Buddhist temples are numerous and vast numbers of people visit them every day. Besides the Buddha, so many ancient Indian deities and practices are preserved in these temples. And India feels quite at home in Japan.