Transcript
Page 1: AGON SHU’S HOSHI MATSURI · Agon Shu also solemnly inaugurated its Main Temple, Shakazan Daibodai-ji, on April 28, 1991. You will find this magnificent example of Japanese

HOSHI MATSURI

Agon Shu

THE COMBINED SHINTO-BUDDHIST FIRE RITES FESTIVAL

http://www.agon.org/hoshimatsuri/e/

43rd FIRE RITES FESTIVAL

AGON SHU’S

Place : Kitakazan-omine, Yamashina-ku, KyotoDate : 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. , February 11th, 2016

Please note that between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Higashiyama Driveway will be restricted to one-way northbound traffic.

* From 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (tentative) on the day of the festival, Higashiyama Driveway will berestricted to one-way northbound traffic between the Higashiyama Joen Entrance and thevicinity of Kachobashi Minamizume. Thank you for your cooperation.

By bus:

By taxi:

Shuttle buses will be operated between the following point and the Festival Site. The fare is 300 yen for one-way.

Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit (in front of Kyoto Avanti) Shuttle-bus stop (8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)

By regular bus:Take Keihan Bus from "Shijokawaramachi" bus stop or "Gojo-Keihan" bus stop to "Kamikazan Hananookacho" bus stop (from which it is a 3-minute walk to the entrance of the Festival Site). Regular buses: 82 ・ 83A ・ 84 ・ 84B ・ 86 ・ 86A ・ 86B ・ 87 ・ 87B

The Hoshi Matsuri Site

Higashiyama Driveway

Sanjo KeihanStation

SanjoStationGion-Shijo Sta.

Kiyomizu-Gojo Sta.

ShichijoStation

HigashiyamaStation

Yasaka JinjaShrine

Keage Station

Shogunzuka

No parking allowed on theHigashiyamaDriveway

●Agon Shu Kansai Main Office

HachijoExit

KarasumaExit

Kyoto Tower

Hokoku JinjaShrine

Sanjusangendotemple

Shinkansen

JR Tokaido Line

Heian Jingu Shrine

KyotoStation

Kami-KazanHananooka-cho

bus stop

Higashi-Oji-dori

Kawabata-dori

To Nagoya

Shuttle Bus Stop

At the Hoshi Matsuri Site, there is no parking lot available.

Entrance to theFestival Site

Jingumichi

Kawara-machiStation

TakashimayaDept. Store

KYOTO MARUI

Shijo-Kawara-machi bus stop

Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station

Gojo-dori

Shijo-dori

Sanjo-dori

Oike-dori

Shichijo-dori

Karasuma-dori

Kawara-machi-dori

Horikaw

a-dori

Subway Tozai Line

Hankyu Railway

Shichijo Ohashi Bridge

GojoStation

Shijo Station

Karasuma-Oike Station

Shijo-Kawara-machi bus stop

Subway Karasuma Line

Gojo Ohashi Bridge

Keihan Railway

Yamato-Oji-dori

Gojo Keihanbus stopGojo Keihanbus stop

Shuttle bus terminal

KarasumaStation

AgonShu Main

Temple

Acces to the Festival Site    There will be no parking lot at the site on the day.Please use public transport.

Kamo River

Shuttle Bus Stop

Hotel K

eihan

Kyoto

Karasu

ma-d

ori street

Taked

a-kaido street

Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit

Hachijo East Exit

Kyoto Avanti

Taxi Stand

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The procession of the Yamabushi ( the name given to mountain asceticpractitioners of esoteric Buddhism ) begins at 9:30 a.m.Entry into the sacred enclosureShinto ritualYamabushi question and answer ceremonyGoshinbo prayer for protection from all evilsAxe ceremonyBow and arrow ceremonySword ceremonyChief Celebrant's entry into the sacred enclosureSolemn Hoshi Matsuri prayer by KanchoLighting of the pine torchesIgniting of the sacred gomas

Gongyo, the chanting of sutrasChanting of the Komyo mantraFire suppresion ceremonyThe Eko prayer concluding the Festival (Around 3:30 p.m.)

HOSHI MATSURI : THE PROGRAM Welcome to the Hoshi Matsuri. Agon Shu's Hoshi Matsuri, which literally means“Star Festival”is a Combined Shinto-Buddhist Fire Rites Festival.On April 7, 1986, Agon Shu was given the Shinsei-Busshari by the Sri Lankan government. The Shinsei-Busshari, the real and sacred relic of the Buddha, is very important and very precious to Buddhists. It has been said in the Buddhist sutras (Buddhist scriptures) that you will enjoy the protective power of the Buddha when Buddhist rites are celebrated in front of the enshrined relic of the Buddha. Ever since we received the Shinsei-Busshariwe have held the fire rites ceremony in front of the sacred relic.

This Agon Shu ceremony is held with two sacred goma-dan, or pyres. One goma-dan is a“Shinkai dan”for the realization of the prayers, wishes and hopes of the living. The other is a“Bukkai dan”for the liberation of the afflicted spirits of the departed. Agon Shu holds its fire rites with these two goma-dan, or pyres, using special spiritual techniques and methods in the course of the rites. We take these rites very seriously and conduct them with deep reverence and care. We pray earnestly for your happiness throughout the year.Agon Shu also solemnly inaugurated its Main Temple, Shakazan Daibodai-ji, on April 28, 1991. You will find this magnificent example of Japanese architecture close to the area where the fire rites are held.

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The Hoshi Matsuri is conducted by the Most Reverend Seiyu Kiriyama Kancho,the Founder and President of Agon Shu, who is the Chief Celebrant or "Daidoshi "of the Hoshi Matsuri.The Shinto ritual is conducted by Reverends of the Nakayama Shinto Shrine. Shugen-daiko or percussion is performed by Roetsu Tosha and Agon Shu Shugen Drum Troupe.Offering of the Iyasaka Shinju Gagaku, an ancient dance of Imperial Court isgiven by Hideaki Higashiura, former Director of the Ise Shrine's Imperial CourtMusic Orchestra and Agon Shu Iyasaka Shinju Gagaku Dpt. Troupe.

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Agon Shu's Hoshi Matsuri is formally entitled the Combined Shinto-Buddhist Fire Rites Festival. This is because on October 24, 1993, Agon Shu celebrated a Combined Shinto-Buddhist Fire Rites Ceremony in Ise city to commemorate the 61st rebuilding ofthe Ise Shrine, an important and solemn event that takes place every twenty years. Since that date Agon Shu has held its Hoshi Matsuri as a combined ceremony. If the fire rite is held in this combined way it is said that you will enjoy enormous blessings and benevolence from the Shinto deities and from the Buddha. This is a special way of holding the fire rite, a way that only Agon Shu can carry out effectively.

Page 3: AGON SHU’S HOSHI MATSURI · Agon Shu also solemnly inaugurated its Main Temple, Shakazan Daibodai-ji, on April 28, 1991. You will find this magnificent example of Japanese

No Entry

Susanoo-no-Mikoto(The great Shinto deity)Susanoo-no-Mikoto

(The great Shinto deity)

The Shinsei Busshari (The real and sacred relic of the Buddha)

The Shinsei Busshari (The real and sacred relic of the Buddha)

本尊

真正仏舎利尊

主神 素

主神 素

本尊

真正仏舎利尊

Sacred enclosureof the Hoshi Matsuri

Sacred enclosureof the Hoshi Matsuri

GOMA-DAN (For the departed)GOMA-DAN

(For the departed)GOMA-DAN (For the living)GOMA-DAN (For the living)

Susanoo-Jinja-ShrineSusanoo-Jinja-Shrine

To site of Hoshi Matsuri (Northern path) GOMA-DAN

(FOR THE DEPARTED)GOMA-DAN

(FOR THE LIVING)ALTAR

No Entry

No EntryNo Entry

Path to theNorth Entrance

To Sanjo Keage

To Shogun̶zuka

Tour-bus Stop

To Route 1

Rensei-Dojo( Training Center ) Rensei-Dojo

( Training Center )

Kyoto DaibutsuGreat Statue of the Buddha

EBISU & DAIKOKUTENSQUARE

To site of Hoshi Matsuri

(Central path)

KEKKAI-MAE SQUARE

Restroomfor the handicapped

Restroomfor the handicapped

Fire Defense Station

The Lion Seat The Lion Seat

GOMA-DAN(FOR THE DEPARTED)

GOMA-DAN(FOR THE LIVING)

ALTAR

GOJO SQUAREGOJO SQUARE

To Meishin Highway, Kyoto-higashi

Route 1

To Higashiyama Tunnel

Place where Gomagi are receivedPlace where Gomagi are received

KEKKAI-MAE SQUARE

Gomagi filled in hereGomagi filled in here

Karamon GateKaramon Gate

TempleGate

Paging CenterPaging Center

Kyoto DaibutsuGreat Statue of the BuddhaPolice Security Station

Fire Defense Station

Omikuji Kukuriki,ropes to which peopletie oracles stating thebad prediction to avoidtaking bad fortune backhome

Police Security Station

Gojo SquareRest House for Staff

Police Stand

PoliceSecurityStation

Shuttle-bus Stop

To site of Hoshi Matsuri (Southern path)To site of Hoshi Matsuri (Southern path)

DrivewayLiaison Office

Time schedule and respective facilitiesfor events are subject to change.

GUIDE MAP

The Sixty Chinese Guardian Deities

Buddhist Belfry

BHUTANSQUAREBHUTANSQUARE

Taxi Stand

No Entry

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Tour-Bus Counter

 1 st 11 : 15 2 nd 12 : 30 3 rd 13 : 30 4 th 14 : 30

Fire ritual in the Bhutanese Buddhist style 1 st 11 : 45 2 nd 14 : 00

Yamabushi question and answer ceremony 1 st 10 : 10 2 nd 11 : 30 3 rd 12 : 15 4 th 12 : 40 5 th 13 : 10 6 th 13 : 45

1st 11:20 ~ 12:002nd 13:00 ~ 13:403rd 14:40 ~ 15:10

Gagaku dances

GAGAKU DANCE PLATFORM

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Viewing Passage

Entrance

Exit

EBISU & DAIKOKUTENSQUARE

Rest House

Lost and Found Lost child office

Public telephone

Annaisho (Information in Japanese and English)

First-Aid Station

Nursery Baby Bed

Area for depositing last year’s Goma Fudaand talismans

The place to get a stamp mark, a red seal "Shu-in"

Agon PavilionAgonPavilion

AGON SHU’SMAIN TEMPLEAGON SHU’SMAIN TEMPLE

THE DAIKOKUTEN BOOTH

PERFORMANCES

The Bhutan Buddhist Service Hall

DAIDOSHI HIMITSUKUJI ; Chief Celebrant's blessing

Ebisu & Daikokuten-jinja-Shrine

In the Agon Pavilion at the Bhutan Square, The Bhutan Buddhist Service Hall is also set up. In the Bhutan Buddhist Service Hall, large tankas as well as Buddhist statues rarely shown to the public, both of which were invited from Kingdom of Bhutan, are enshrined. Furthermore in the Agon Pavilion, we have staff having a good command of English, who will heartily welcome the visitors. Remember to drop in at the Agon Pavilion.

Inviting information!!

1.Introduction to Agon Shu by iPad2.Fortunetelling by Agon Buddhist3.Books written by the Most Reverend Seiyu Kiriyama Kancho4.Instruction in The Junteison Shingon Practice(The Secret of Good Fortune), and other fascinating services

The Agon Pavilion offers the following:

Rest Housefor StaffRest Housefor Staff

Guest/Journalist reception

AGON SHU -JERUSALEMPEACE & FRIENDSHIP SQUARE

AGON SHU -JERUSALEMPEACE & FRIENDSHIP SQUARE

TEMPLE SQUARETEMPLE SQUARE

Omikuji Kukuriki,ropes to which peopletie oracles stating thebad prediction to avoidtaking bad fortune back home

Reception area for gomagi prayer sticks

Reception area for Goma Fuda, talisman, and oracles to improve your fortune

Reception area for blessing requests to the Sixty Chinese Guardian Deities

Lunch boxes and refreshments

Books and magazines

Page 4: AGON SHU’S HOSHI MATSURI · Agon Shu also solemnly inaugurated its Main Temple, Shakazan Daibodai-ji, on April 28, 1991. You will find this magnificent example of Japanese

Welcome to Agon Shu Hoshi Matsuri, Combined Shinto-Buddhist Fire Rites Festival! We are very much pleased to have your company today.Agon Shu is a Buddhist Association with the Shinsei-Busshari (the real and sacred relic of Buddha) enshrined as the object of reverence and worship based on the Agon sutras that represent true and original teachings of the Lord Buddha. At the same time, Agon Shu is closely linked with gods of Shinto.

"Shu-in", a red seal certifying pilgrimage to the Combined Shinto-Buddhist Sacred Places will be given at four sacred places at this site respectively. We hope the "Shu-in" will help to commemorate today,s pilgrimage.We heartily hope those who make a visit and offer prayers today will be blessed at the Shinto-Buddhist Sacred Places.

To those who have collected all the four kinds of "Shu-in" given upon the pilgrimage to four sacred places, the charm is given at any place where you get a stamp.

C-E, 12 minutesA-C, 11 minutesC D

BHUTAN SQUARE

EBISU & DAIKOKUTEN

BHUTAN SQUARE

Temple Square

Entrance to the Sacred Enclosure

E

C-D, 4 minutes

AB

Time required to go on foot between main points:

The 41st Agon Shu Hoshi MatsuriPilgrimage to the Combined Shinto-Buddhist Sacred Places

Yamashina Mausoleum of the Emperor Tenchi

Sanjo-dori

Lake Biwa

Higashiyama TunnelGojo-dori (Route 1)

Higashiyama Driveway

Higashiyama Joen

Seikanji Temple

Heian Jingu ShrineAgon Shu Kansai Main Office

Mt. YoshidaGingakuji Temple

Nanzenji Temple

Omi Jingu Shrine

KeageKacho Bashi

Chionin TempleMaruyama Park

Kodaiji Temple

Yasaka Jinja Shrine

Gion Shogunzuka

Higashiyama Sancho Park

Tour-bus stop

Shakazan Daibodai-ji

Kyoto Daibutsu: Great Statue of the Buddha

Gojo SquareShuttle-Bus Stop

Goma-dan for the Departed

Sacred Enclosure

Goma-dan for the Living

Altar

The Westin Miyako Kyoto

Mt. Daimonji

Mt. Hiei

Mt. Kiyomizu

Kyoto University Kwasan Observatory

Kiyomizudera Temple

Higashiyama-Ku

Chigo-ga-ike

Kawaram

achi-dori

Kawabata-dori

Kiyamachi-dori

Kamo River Higashi-oji-dori

Yamashina-Ku

A

BC

D

E

The 43rd Agon Shu Hoshi MatsuriPilgrimage to the Combined Shinto-Buddhist Sacred Places

Gojo SquareShuttle-Bus Stop

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EBISU & DAIKOKUTEN

SQUARE

SQUARE

Shakazan Daibodai-ji(Agon Shu Main temple)

Bhutan Square

(Agon Shu Main temple)

The Combined Shinto-Buddhist Fire Rites Pyres and the Sacred Enclosure

Ebisu & Daikokuten Square1 2 3 4

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4 KEKKAI - MAE SQUARE

AGON SHU - JERUSALEMPEACE & FRIENDSHIP SQUARE

TEMPLE SQUARE

Page 5: AGON SHU’S HOSHI MATSURI · Agon Shu also solemnly inaugurated its Main Temple, Shakazan Daibodai-ji, on April 28, 1991. You will find this magnificent example of Japanese

Yamabushi Q & A ceremony

The Most Reverend Seiyu Kiriyama Kancho, the Founder and Head of Agon Shu, is Chief Celebrant at the Hoshi Matsuri and in the course of the rite he blesses the participants with a sacred combined Shinto-Buddhist blessing, using a sacred Buddhist ritual implement called Hojusho. While this blessing is being given, participants are asked to put their hands together and pray silently together with Kiriyama Kancho.

Voices of Yamabushi sound loudly across the mountain in Q & A ceremony according to the traditional ritual. The ceremony is held six times.

DAIDOSHI HIMITSUKUJI Chief Celebrant's Blessing

Shinsei-Busshari: the real and sacred relic of Buddha

Main temple admission fee

Ebisu and Daikokuten

Sixty guardian deities, the object of deep faith in Taoism, guard all the people who were born in a sixty-year cycle with each year corresponding to a particular deity.

Gomagi (prayer sticks) received from the people are piled up and burnt on two sacred wooden pyres (goma-dan): one for the living (principal god: Susanoo-no-mikoto) for the prayers, requests and desires of the living and the other for the departed (sacred object: the Shinsei-Busshari, the real and sacred relic of Buddha) for liberation and salvation of the spirits of the departed through the special Shinto-Buddhist way to hold the fire rite.The huge Buddhist painting hung behind the altar is a large mandala called a “Thongdrol” and it came from the Kingdom of Bhutan. This Buddhist painting is very precious and has miracle-working power.

Since being enshrined in Agon Shu, these deities Ebisu and Daikokuten have obtained profound new power in addition to their original power to provide the money and fortune. We sincerely wish that through the unparalleled powers of these deities, visitors will be blessed with fortune and worldly success.

Adults (Senior high school students or older): 300 yenElementary and junior high school students: 200 yenPreschool children: Free

To the Buddhists, the Shinsei-Busshari, the real and sacred relic of Gautama Buddha, represents the very “Living Buddha,” and is the only supreme object of reverence and worship in Buddhism. In Agon Shu, based on the origin of faith in busshari, the Shinsei-Busshari representing Gautama Buddha is enshrined as the center of faith and worship. In Esoteric Buddhism, the sacred relic of Buddha with the Holy Spirit dwelling in is referred to as “Nyoi-hoju” (a fabulous gem capable of responding to every wish) paying homage to its greatest power of auspicious omen and miracle.

The Combined Shinto-Buddhist Fire Rite Pyres and the Sacred Enclosure and Large Thangka (Thongdol) 

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Monju means the genuine wisdom of Buddha. Monju Bosatsu gives us right wisdom and virtue for successful academic work.

Monju Bosatsu (Manjushri)

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The Sixty Guardian Deities3

Pilgrimage to the Combined Shinto-Buddhist Sacred Places

Shakazan Daibodai-ji (Agon Shu Main Temple)

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Those who receive the Special Blessing of Hashiri Daikoku (donation of 3000 yen or more) will also receive an ancient Japanese coin that has been blessed to bring wealth and fortune. (Special Blessings are given in the EBISU & DAIKOKUTEN Square.)

Special Blessing of Hashiri Daikoku

Page 6: AGON SHU’S HOSHI MATSURI · Agon Shu also solemnly inaugurated its Main Temple, Shakazan Daibodai-ji, on April 28, 1991. You will find this magnificent example of Japanese

Aizen Myo-o (Ragaraja)

Representing the heart of the esoteric Buddhism that the worldly desires and passion can lead to spiritual purification and Buddhahood, Aizen Myo-o is the guardian of love. Aizen Myo-o can help you break up unfortunate relationships and form new happy ones, and can even provide chances to form desirable human relations.

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Performance of Gagaku Dance

Kyoto Daibutsu (Great Statue of the Buddha)

Kyoto Daibutsu situated at Agon Shu Honzan is 4.8 meters in height and is the largest image of the Vairocana Buddha in Kyoto. You can see and worship it from the Temple Square in front of the Main Temple. The Agon Shu Daibutsu Sai (Great Buddha Festival) is held on May 5th every year.

Susano-o Shrine

Susano-o-no-Mikoto, brother of Amaterasu-Omikami, is one of the most magnificent gods. He is best known for achieving the great deed of building and ruling the world with his power of storms. Pray to dispel evils and bring good luck at the Sunano-o Shrine, the shrine of Susano-o-no-Mikoto, the deity with the divine power to subdue evil and avert bad luck.

Iyasaka Shinju Gagaku is performed by the Agon Shu Iyasaka Shinju Gagaku Team. Gagaku is dedicated to display sincere feelings of respect and esteem for Japanese gods and ancestral worship, which is part of the special manner of holding the combined Shinto-Buddhism fire rites festival.

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Agon Shu - Jerusalem Peace & Friendship Square

Stupa and Israeli Lion Statue for Peace in the Middle East (Located in front of the Rensei Dojo [Training Center]) In 2013, Agon Shu erected a stupa in the Holy City of Jerusalem and held a ceremony to pray for peace in the Middle East and around the world. The stupa in front of the Training Center and the stupa in Jerusalem constitute a pair. Please visit this stupa and the peace-symbol Lion Statue that was given by Israel, and pray for world peace.

The Bhutan Buddhist Service Hall

The Bhutan Buddhist Service Hall is a sacred place where the fire rituals were performed in February 1978 to commemorate the founding of the Agon sect and the opening of its head temple. During this event, a fire-breathing dragon (Nandanaga) made an appearance as a guardian deity.The Kingdom of Bhutan is called "Druk Yul" meaning "land of the thunder dragon." In this sacred area of the Guardian Dragon, paintings and statues of Shakamuni, Akshobhya, Avalokitesvara and other Buddhist figures who arrived from the Kingdom of Bhutan are shown to the public.

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3Daikoku-ten (Mahakala)

Bishamon-ten (Vaisravana)

Bishamon-ten, or Tamon-ten is one of the Four Guardian Kings who guard the Buddhist law, protects the temple and is pleased to hear Buddhist sutras. Bishamon-ten is worshiped as the god who guards the nation and principles and brings happiness and fortune. Bishamon-ten is especially believed to bless the laity with the divine favor of prosperity and successful families.

Daikoku-ten is prayed to as the “Daikoku-ten to run round quickly bringing us prosperity.” For those who desire blessing, it is vital to pray to the running Daikoku-ten in early morning with all their heart and do their best to act peacefully with a smile on their face using kind words. It is believed that when this is executed sincerely, the god will provide the practitioner with a sense of values to affirm their life, good health and great courage as well as economic fortune and good luck.

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for “Unki Zokyo and Shogan Jyoju” (improvement of destiny and granting of wishes) 3,000 yen

Junteison Kenzoku Two Dragon Deities Hoshi Fuda

For good luck, economic fortune and prosperous business.

This lucky talisman invites good fortune and economic success. It is shaped like a kumade, a rake for scooping up such fortunes.

※ Please purchase as soon as possible while supplies last.

Prayer fee: ¥ 3,000

Agon shu’s Hoshi MatsuriEbisu-Daikokuten-Shohuku Talisman

The following talismans are only available at the Hoshi Matsuri Festival site.

Please refer to the below and get some idea on how to write your wish or prayer on the gomagi

How to Write Your Gomagi / Prayer Stick

Gomagi are narrow strips of wood, generally known as“prayer sticks”, on which personal wishes and prayer intentions are filled in. These are put into the sacred gomas, or pyres, which are of central importance in the fire rites. The wood used for these Gomagi comes from two sources. The first source is timber from Indonesia that is regularly cut down to make way for new growth as part of government controlled afforestation projects. A certificate issued by the Indonesian government testifies that the wood used at the Hoshi Matsuri has been made available in accordance with Indonesian laws for the protection of natural resources. The second source is waste timber from within Japan. Here too, careful account is taken of laws for the protection of natural resources and the environment.

Gomagi are thin strips of wood, generally known as prayer sticks, on which prayers, requests and desires for the living are written, as well as prayers for the liberation and consolation of the afflicted spirits of the departed. These Gomagi are reverently consigned to the sacred fires of the gomas in the course of the fire rites. Agon Shu’s Fire Rites Festival is renowned for the way in which supplicants’prayers are answered and their wishes realized. There are also“Tokubetsu Kigan Ogomagi ”(Special Prayer Sticks for Blessings and Good Fortune), each one of which is blessed personally by the Most Reverend Kiriyama Kancho.

This particular Gomagi is designed for liberation from karma for departed ones, and liberation from spiritual interference. You write your prayer for your ancestors and departed ones.

This Gomagi is designed for your wish. You can also write a wish for people such as your family, friends, colleagues, clients, and so on.

For Your Wish (ShinKai Pyre)

Agon Shu refers to the Fire Rites Festival held on February 11th as the “ Agon Hoshi Matsuri ” because the fire rites are conducted in the special manner of esoteric Buddhism, as a means of transforming destiny. It is believed that praying to the individual star of destiny in this special manner and praying for mubyo sokusai (being healthy free from diseases) and kaun ryusei (prosperity of family) will improve one’s destiny.The Goma Fuda talisman is available only at the Hoshi Matsuri.We recommend you enshrine the Goma Fuda at home and carry a Honmyojo talisman, which comes with the Goma Fuda, to make this year prosperous, avoiding evil and inviting good luck.

KIGAN GOMAGI : PRAYER STICKS FOR BLESSINGS AND GOOD FORTUNE( 100 yen, 1,000 yen, 3,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 10,000 yen each )

Hoshi Matsuri Goma Fuda (with Honmyojo talisman attached) 3,000 yen

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Your Wish Your Name

Your NameName of departed one

For Your Departed Ones (Bukkai Pyre)

Page 8: AGON SHU’S HOSHI MATSURI · Agon Shu also solemnly inaugurated its Main Temple, Shakazan Daibodai-ji, on April 28, 1991. You will find this magnificent example of Japanese

Ultimate training, mountain-religion mandala (depiction ofspiritual universe and deities) is embodied here.

Tokin (resembles a small crown)

Yui-gesa (resembles a surplice with pompoms)Becoming Fudo Myo-o (Acalanatha) to govern Kyukai (the nine worlds)

One cannot imagine the fire rites without Yamabushi, who play an essential role in the event. However, what is the meaning behind the Yamabushi costume? The Yamabushi costume is different from monks' attire, samurai's or even general kimono. Yamabushi are essentially lay ascetics devoted to mental and physical self-discipline in the mountains who contemplate the mountains as both the Kongo-kai (Diamond Realm) and Taizo-kai (Womb Realm) Mandalas, in the aim to become one with Fudo Myo-o (Acalanatha), a deity which embodies those mandalas. Their practice mainly consists of practical ascetic training and meditation, and they reportedly memorize the doctrines by connecting them to Yamabushi's costumes and objects used in rituals. In the Yamabushi Questions and Answers ritual, their knowledge of such doctrines is tested. Yamabushi training and meditation to attain enlightenment and wisdom is sought“for-the-benefit-of-oneself-and-others”, thus not limited to training in the mountains but also relevant to our daily lives.

Yui-gesa is a special Kesa (surplice) dedicated by Fudo Myo-o to save all people in every world.From the time of Indian Buddhism, monks have been wearing Kujo-gesa, the highest-ranked formal costume worn on formal occasions such as reception at a palace and religious solicitation. Yui-gesa is formed by folding this Kujo-gesa and tying it with a horizontal string. When today’s Yui-gesa is untied, it cannot be used as Kujo-gesa. In the old days, however, if the knot of a Yui-gesa was untied, it could actually be used as a Kujo-gesa and the horizontal string as a Tasuki (a kind of sash).Since Kujo-gesa is the formal costume for eligible monks, it was exceptional for the lay Yamabushi to wear Yui-gesa. Lay Buddhists including Agon Shu Buddhists wear Wa-gesa (neck-surplice) when reciting sutras and for daily practices. It is said that Wa-gesa is modeled after Yui-gesa.

In mountain-religion asceticism, kujo of Kujo-gesa represents nine worlds, i.e., Hell, Hunger, Animality, Paranoid Jealousy, Humanity, Heaven, Learning, Realization, and Bodhisattvahood. As Yamabushi belong to the World of Buddha, when they wear such Kujo-gesa they manifest ten worlds in themselves. Yamabushi embody Fudo Myo-o, and thus serve to govern

and save all the people in the entire nine worlds. That is the sacred vow of Fudo Myo-o and Yamabushi. Yui-gesa is also referred to as Fudo-gesa.

Yui-gesa worn by Agon Shu Yamabushi has four Bonten-busa (pompoms) in front and two in the rear, for a total of six. Originally, there were two kinds of Bonten-busa, black and white. Sendatsu (leaders) wore white ones and Sinkyaku (newcomers), training in the mountains for the first time, wore black ones. Six white Bonten-busa (pompoms) symbolize Rokuharamitsu (six methods of perfection) and six black ones represent Rokudo (six lower worlds), implying that leaders having already acquired knowledge of Rokuharamitsu (six methods of perfection) will guide newcomers who remain plagued within the six lower worlds in the Buddhist faith. Today, there are neither black nor white Bonten-busa (pompoms). Instead, green, orange, purple, and scarlet ones are attached to indicate the ranks of Yamabushi, respectively.

Tokin represents the golden five-precept crown worn by Dainichi-Nyorai. Tokin is round in shape and has12 pleats representing 12-cause-and-effects. Its black color indicates unenlightenment, that is people’s inherent spiritual hindrance of ignoring the truth. The twelve pleats are separated in the middle: the six pleats on the left represent the transmigration of people’s souls in anguish in the six lower worlds; and the six pleats on the right symbolize when people interrupt transmigration and attain nirvana. Both anguish and liberation are represented by the Tokin.

The five-precept crown represents the five precepts of Buddha. So, it is not illogical at all that Yamabushi wear such Tokin since they have acquired the wisdom of Buddha and aim at identifying themselves with Fudo Myo-o, who is the incarnation of Dainichi-Nyorai. However, it is strange that the Tokin, which should symbolize the five-precept crown, is the color of unenlightenment (black) and represents twelve-cause-and-effects which serve as the formula for generating anguish and transmigration of souls of the departed in the six lower worlds.

The reason why the Tokin represents both wisdom and unenlightenment, and both salvation and transmigration, is to represent the principle in esoteric Buddhism and mountain-religion asceticism that“spiritual hindrances themselves may lead to enlightenment”and the doctrine that spiritual darkness and enlightenment are essentially the same since people wish to attain enlightenment because they suffer anguish due to spiritual darkness and hindrances.

Secret of hoe (ritual costume) and hogu (objects used in rituals) of Yamabushi (mountain ascetics of esoteric Buddhism)

Crown of wisdom in color of unenlightenmentSuzukake

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Suzukake (resembles a vest or kimono)

Hisshiki (used as a seating rug)

Irataka-Nenju (polygonal Buddhist rosary)

Suzukake is the costume of Yamabushi. It did not originate from monks' clothing but rather from everyday clothing worn by lay followers or samurai during the Kamakura Period.

Suzukake consists of a coat made of nine pieces of cloth and Hakama (a trouser skirt) made of eight pieces of cloth. The nine pieces of cloth for the coat represent the Nine Worlds of the Diamond Realm Mandala, while the eight pieces of trouser skirt represent the Central Eight Petal Court of the Womb Realm Mandala. Wearing Suzukake symbolizes the practice of asceticism by wearing both the Diamond Realm and Womb Realm Mandalas. The trouser skirt has three pleats in the rear and six in the front. This represents the practice of Rokuharamitsu (six methods of perfection) consisting of carrying three evils, i.e., Hell, Hunger, and Animality, on one's back.

The laymen's costume has come to represent both the Diamond Realm and Womb Realm Mandalas because of the philosophy of mountain-religion asceticism that laymen and monks are equal in aiming at spiritual liberation and salvation, and that laymen can attain Buddhahood while still alive without becoming monks.

Suzukake is named after suzu (bells) called Goko-rei (five-pronged bells), which were attached to clothing in ancient times. Goko-rei is a religious accessory indispensable for practice and was attached as a symbol of Dainichi-Nyorai’s wisdom and the Buddha-nature people have in their minds. Such a concept has not lost its meaning and the costume is still called Suzukake.

Unlike ordinary Nenju (rosary), the shape of Irataka-Nenju beads is circular from the front but polygonal from the side, like abacus beads. This shape represents the sword of wisdom. This is the origin of the name Irataka (polygonal).

The meaning of Nenju is divided into“nen”and“ju”.“Nen”refers to the inherent wisdom of enlightenment and the successive occurrence of spiritual hindrances when in thought.“Ju”refers to beads which are circular, thus symbolizing perfect truth.

“Spiritual hindrances themselves may lead to enlightenment” means that spiritual hindrances may serve as a source of enlightenment. However, it does not mean that spiritual hindrances can be transformed into enlightenment by doing nothing. In contemplation of annihilating spiritual hindrances, Yamabushi rub together Irataka-Nenju and pray for the appearance of inherent perfect truth and wisdom in order to transform spiritual hindrances into wisdom of enlightenment. Japanese Buddhists’ rubbing together of Nenju may have come from mountain-religion asceticism.

Many people may wonder why Yamabushi who follow the Buddhist doctrine use Hisshiki (seating rug) made of fur. However, this may be explained by the fact that the Hisshiki symbolizes a lion. As a matter of fact, Hisshiki was made of remains of fur clothes in ancient ascetics. In mountain-religion asceticism, sitting on the Hisshiki represents riding a lion. Like the Hora (Conch shell), the lion symbolizes both“Nyorai”and the“king of spiritual hindrances”, with two interpretations for“riding a lion”, respectively.

First, when regarding the lion as“Nyorai”, riding a lion may be considered as a“path to become Buddha”, which means becoming one with“Nyorai ”to annihilate spiritual hindrances and pursue Buddhism.

Second, when considering the lion as the“king of spiritual hindrances”, Yamabushi identify themselves with Fudo-myo-o and seat themselves on the“king of spiritual hindrances”to subdue karma. This represents the principle that“spiritual hindrances themselves may lead to enlightenment”, meaning that spiritual hindrances may be a source of enlightenment.

There are three kinds of sticks used by Yamabushi: Tanboku, carry-club for newcomers; Kongo-zue for Doshu (those who have already practiced mountain asceticism three times and have been practicing Rokuharamitsu (six methods of perfection)); and Hijo for Sendatsu (leaders). Agon Shu Yamabushi basically use Kongo-zue.

Riding a lion and annihilating spiritual hindrances

Kongo- zue (Diamond Stick)Kongo-zue is an incarnation of Tokko.

Representing an ascetic frame of mind for wisdom and Buddha-nature

Rubbing sword-shaped beads to annihilate spiritual hindrances

Goko-rei(five-pronged bells)

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Kaino-o and Hikimawashi① Tanboku, walking stick for newcomers  During mountain-religion ascetic training, newcomers draw three pails   of aka (holy water) every day: one for Nyorai; one for the leaders; and   one for water necessary in ascetic training. The sticks used to carry such   pails of pure water are called“Tanboku” (carry-club).  Aka is holy water, and in Japanese Aka has another meaning,“dirt”.  Newcomers stained with aka (dirt) of spiritual hindrances are purified   with aka of holy water.

② Kongo-zue (Diamond Stick), walking stick for the Doshu  Doshu are regarded as Kongo-Satta (Diamond Being), thus they use  Kongo-zue (Diamond Stick), which are considered an incarnation of  Tokko (Kongo-sho or diamond pounder). Doshu carry Kongo-zue  (Diamond stick) in the aim of defeating a bundle of spiritual hindrances.

③ Hijo, walking stick for leaders  Hijo, a cylindrical walking stick, represents the perfection behind   wisdom of self-interest and altruism. Hijo symbolizes flames of   wisdom, which burn spiritual hindrances of those who carry Hijo and  others.

Today’s Kyahan are white and there is only one kind. In olden times, however, there were two kinds of Kyahan:“Tsutsu-Kyahan”(rolled gaiters) shown on top, and“Kenzaki-Kyahan”(gaiters with a pointed lower end like the end of a sword) shown on the bottom, both of which were in black and different from current ones. Tsutsu-Kyahan, mountain gaiters in the Womb Realm, represented ascetic training pursuing the path from being a normal person to Buddha, and Kenzaki-Kyahan, the mountain gaiters in the Diamond Realm, represented Yamabushi identifying themselves with Buddha who gave salvation to normal people.

The black color of Tsutsu-Kyahan symbolized elements composing the world, i.e. the earth-element, water-element, fire-element, wind-element, and air-element, to represent that Yamabushi are unified with winds soaring through the air. On the contrary, the black color of Kenzaki-Kyahan, symbolized unenlightenment, in that they tear up black unenlightenment with the pointed lower ends like swords to transform spiritual hindrances into wisdom.

These ropes are similar and often confusing, but the one worn on the right side (right) is Kaino-o and the other one on the left side is Hikimawashi (left). Originally, Kaino-o was tied to the Conch shell. Since the Conch shell symbolizes wisdom and physical body, and Kaino-o symbolizes Buddhist breathing and spirit, tying Kaino-o to the Conch shell symbolizes that the physical body and spirit are the same, while wisdom and breathing are contrary but related. The concept that breathing and acquiring wisdom are inseparable is common to ascetic practice of“Methods of Buddha” taught by Kiriyama Kancho.

In respect to the relation between Kaino-o and Hikimawashi, Kaino-o represents wisdom in the Diamond Realm, while Hikimawashi represents noumenon in the Womb Realm. When both of them are worn, wisdom and noumenon will be unified.

The total length of both ropes is 37 shaku in Japanese units (about 11.2 m or 36.8 feet), representing 37 son in the Diamond Realm. This also symbolizes the seven systems and 37 curricula for attaining enlightenment taught by Buddha, as lectured by Kiriyama Kancho. Wearing a set of two ropes on both sides represents unification of noumenon (Hikimawashi) and wisdom (Kaino-o), leading to the appearance of 37 son in the Diamond Realm, which govern wisdom. Accordingly, Yamabushi who are full of wisdom and noumenon will attain Buddhahood while still alive. At such a time, Kaino-o and Hikimawashi worn around the waist are regarded as an umbilical cord connecting Yamabushi to the world of Buddha.

In actual mountain-religion ascetics, Kaino-o and Hikimawashi are used as climbing ropes. In this case they are regarded as a lifeline (umbilical cord) connecting them to mountains, which are the manifests of both the Diamond Realm Mandala and the Womb Realm Mandala.

The combination of two ropes creates a 37 son (37 Buddhas and Bodhisattvas).

Kyahan (Mountain gaiters)Pursuing two principles, seeking truth and salvation of general people:

(Excerpt from Dharma Cakra No.135)

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