About practiceWhat is shakyo, or sutra copying?
The term ‘shakyo’, or ‘sutra copying’, refers to the act of transcribing sutras as well as the Buddhist scriptures themselves that are transcribed.
Sutras were generally handed down orally, but with the advent of sutra writing, sutras were transformed from ‘those learned by ear’ to ‘those learned by reading’. The sutras, which were transmitted in Sanskrit in ancient times,
were brought to China and were translated into Chinese, and the Chinese translations of the sutras eventually arrived in Japan. They are said to have been introduced to Japan in 637, and were actively recited by emperors, nobles, and the samurai warriors.
The practice of shakyo, or copying sutras, began as a way to transmit the sutras and also to receive the teachings written in them. Today, shakyo is still practiced in hopes of gaining virtue, as well as for making offerings to ancestors or seeking personal well-being. Nowadays, however, more and more people are engaging in sutra copying as a devotional practice of wholeheartedly concentrating on the careful tracing of the characters to help to calm the mind. Shakyo is recommended not only for those who are new to the practice, but also for those who wish to use it regularly, or on occasion, as an opportunity for self-reflection .
What are Hostu-gan Votive Wishes/Prayers?
Hotsu-gan are votive wishes/prayers made at the temple to entrust one’s wishes to a Buddha.
In the early 12th century, a samurai warrior, Wada Yoshimori, and his wife wished for their own eternal life as well as the eternal life of their deceased subordinates and opponents in a time of war, and so they commissioned the Buddhist master sculptor monk Unkei to create statues of Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Tathagata), Fudo Myoho (Acalanātha), and Bishamonten (Vaishravana) at Jorakuji Temple.
In response to Wada’s request, Unkei produced the five statues. And in order to ensure that his wishes come true, Unkei placed Shingachirin(the heart of the statue) inside each of the statues and consecrated them with spirit to transform them into Buddhas.
In the period after Unkei, the custom of placing objects inside the statue became more widespread, and worshippers and Buddhist followers sometimes placed Buddha statuettes or their shakyo sutras inside the statues, in the hopes that the Buddhas would listen to their wishes.
Following in the footsteps of Unkei by copying the sutras or creating a Buddha statuette, you can entrust your own wishes to the Buddhas.
What is a Shingachirin ?
Shingachirin is a circle representing the full moon with a depiction of the lotus of the Pure Land Sect and a Sanskrit character representing the Buddha in the center. It is believed that the enlightened mind is a ‘halo around the moon’ or ‘moon halo’ of the state of enlightenment and purity, and that the Buddha also has a Moon Halo in his mind, and that when it is connected to the Moon Halo of one's own mind, one can become one with the Buddha.
The wooden Moon Halo plaques that were placed inside Unkei’s Buddha statues at Jorakuji Temple are inscribed with the date of their creation, the names giving credit to Unkei as the sculptor, and Wada Yoshimori and his wife as those offering the votive prayers they contain. Also written on the plaques are charms in the form of phrases from dharani text to enhance the power of the statues.
Unkei’s intent for placing these wooden plaques representing the Moon Halo in the center of the statues was so that the soul of the Buddha would be enshrined, making them more than mere statues—his wish was for them to become incarnations of the Buddhas themselves. In such a way, the Moon Halo becomes the link between the Buddha and oneself, as well as the soul that is enshrined in the Buddha itself.
A virtual hotsu-gan
A virtual hotsu-gan, or votive wish/prayer offering, is the act of delivering prayers or wishes to a Buddha statue within a virtual space.
The use of virtual reality enables participants to perform shakyo in a way that one otherwise would not be able to do physically, i.e. after writing wishes/prayers on a Moon Halo plaque, you will entrust it to a Buddha of your choice.
This is the first time in Japan that one can experience this new virtual hotsu-gan practice. Why not give it a try?
About the hotsu-gan (votive wish/prayer) practice
In this hotsu-gan practice, write your wish/prayer on a piece of paper and entrust it with a Buddha in the manner of Unkei's famous sutras, the Unkei Gankei.
Details of the Experience
Prior to the experience, you will take part in an incense ‘bathing’ ritual to purify yourself and engage in meditation to prepare your mind.
You write your wishes or prayers on a piece of paper with the Moon Halo illustration. Once you have finished writing, you will entrust your prayer to a Buddha in a virtual space.
・In this experience, you will be writing using kanji (Chinese characters).
・We will provide you with an apron that we ask you to wear to protect your clothing from getting soiled by the ink.
・After the experience, you will be permitted for viewing the actual Buddha Statues sculptedby the great master Buddhist sculptor, Unkei.
・To protect the cultural properties, in the case of unfavorable weather conditions, viewing of the Buddha statues created by Unkei may not be permitted.