Question about Kômyô Shingon.

[Yoshitsune]

Hello. I'm very interested in Shingon Buddhism. I also read Yamasaki Taikô's book about Shingon Buddhism.
As far as I know the Kômyô Shingon is part of the daily service in all groups of the Shingon Shû.

My understanding is, that Mikkyô is characterized by the use of Mudra , Mantra and visualisation. I know the Kômyô Mantra, but what about the Mudra? Do you hold your hands simply in Gassho? And what I would like to know most of all is, if there is also some kind of visualisation involved. What do you think about while reciting?

I'm grateful for all answers.

Thank you.

[jake]

Dear Yoshitsune,

Good questions but unfortunately these are questions that can not be answered without personal training with an ordained and authorised teacher. Are you currently studying with someone?

best

Hello. I'm very interested in Shingon Buddhism. I also read Yamasaki Taikô's book about Shingon Buddhism.
As far as I know the Kômyô Shingon is part of the daily service in all groups of the Shingon Shû.

My understanding is, that Mikkyô is characterized by the use of Mudra , Mantra and visualisation. I know the Kômyô Mantra, but what about the Mudra? Do you hold your hands simply in Gassho? And what I would like to know most of all is, if there is also some kind of visualisation involved. What do you think about while reciting?

I'm grateful for all answers.

Thank you.

[rory]

Actually you can find the mudras in Micahel Unno's "Shingon Refractions: Myoe and the Mantra of Light." But if you want to practice Shingon you need to be initiated. Both Japanese esoteric schools, Shingon & Tendai require it.
gassho
Rory

[Yoshitsune]

Thank you very much for your answers. Unfortunately there is no Shingon Temple in my country. I lived in Japan for a while and during that time I also went to Kōyasan and took part in the Jukai ceremony. I guess I have no chance to learn more before I get back to Japan.

Thank you

[eijo]

Hello. I'm very interested in Shingon Buddhism. I also read Yamasaki Taikô's book about Shingon Buddhism.
As far as I know the Kômyô Shingon is part of the daily service in all groups of the Shingon Shû.

My understanding is, that Mikkyô is characterized by the use of Mudra , Mantra and visualisation. I know the Kômyô Mantra, but what about the Mudra? Do you hold your hands simply in Gassho? And what I would like to know most of all is, if there is also some kind of visualisation involved. What do you think about while reciting?

I'm grateful for all answers.

Thank you.

Until you are taught otherwise and only after finishing Shido Kegyo, yes, use gassho.

There is most certainly a visualization for this, and it is taught along with the mudra, and much more besides.

Shingon has to be learned in prescribed stages. You have to walk before you can run. Mudras outside of their context within the full transmission lineage are basically meaningless finger exercises.

There is a basic meditation and analysis of the functions of this mantra in my forthcoming Shingon Buddhist Service Book, to be published next month by Kongobuji.

[Snake]

Until you are taught otherwise and only after finishing Shido Kegyo, yes, use gassho.

There is most certainly a visualization for this, and it is taught along with the mudra, and much more besides.

Shingon has to be learned in prescribed stages. You have to walk before you can run. Mudras outside of their context within the full transmission lineage are basically meaningless finger exercises.

There is a basic meditation and analysis of the functions of this mantra in my forthcoming Shingon Buddhist Service Book, to be published next month by Kongobuji.

Reverend Eijo,

I notice you've referenced books for english-speaking audiences that will be published or have been published by Kongobuji in several posts. Would you kindly list the books and articles that are now or will soon be currently available and how we might acquire them? I'm aware of your book "Kukai on the Philosophy of Language" which is available via Amazon.co.jp and I know you've translated Kukai's treatise "The Secret Key to the Heart Sutra" which was published in an academic journal, is it available online? I have been unable to locate it via google scholar.

Thanks!