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Yamabushi at the Gion Festival Supernatural Prayers to Benefit All Beings

Yamabushi tradition goes back more than a thousand years. It combines different sects of Buddhism with Shinto and Taoist beliefs and practices. Yama means u201cmountainu201d and fushi means u201cto prostrate.u201d This points to yamabushiu2019s cultivation of humility combined with intense awe and respect for nature.<br>Their path is called shugendo, which literally translates to u201cpath of studying and testing.u201d It gives a feeling of constant refinement on the spiritual path.<br><br>Read More...

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Yamabushi at the Gion Festival Supernatural Prayers to Benefit All Beings

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  1. Yamabushi at the Gion Festival: Supernatural Prayers to Benefit All Beings Combining spiritual practices to benefit all beings with history, magic, myths, and legend, it’s challenging to be cooler than a committed yamabushi. Did you know that the Gion Matsuri and yamabushi share connections dating back centuries? And that dozens of yamabushi participate in Kyoto’s extraordinary Gion Festival every year? What Are Yamabushi? Yamabushi tradition goes back more than a thousand years. It combines different sects of Buddhism with Shinto and Taoist beliefs and practices. Yama means “mountain” and fushi means “to prostrate.” This points to yamabushi’s cultivation of humility combined with intense awe and respect for nature. Their path is called shugendo, which literally translates to “path of studying and testing.” It gives a feeling of constant refinement on the spiritual path.

  2. Nature as The Source Yamabushi practices emphasize ascetic practices in nature. They’re known to chant sutras or mantras (sacred Buddhist prayers) under waterfalls. And to hike precarious mountain trails in the shapes of mandalas, in regions considered sacred. Historically in Japan, mountains were both frightening places as well as sacred ones. Bandits fled to mountains, and people went there to die. So people considered mountains as homes to ghosts. Mountains were also highly revered as the source of life-giving rain.

  3. Practicing to Be One with All Legend goes that yamabushi can manifest supernatural powers. These powers are part of the history of many Buddhist sects (i.e., mahasiddhis), Taoism (e.g. Taoist Immortals), and other spiritual traditions. According to these paths, a disciplined spiritual practice cultivates a pure motivation to benefit all beings. It also results in intense powers of concentration. Often taking place in close connection with nature, such a combination enables a person to tap into the power of universal consciousness. Whatever the tradition, the being becomes integrated, or whole. That’s why they’re called “holy.” Read More...

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