Hi, Tim! This is chama. I enjoyed this video. And I'm amazing your first syugyo is in Feb! I never experienced the winter time of Haguro. If I have a chance to go, I woukd like to be. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seein you again next month. Hopefully, I'm glad your shareing of the contents of the tour of next month. See ya!
Chama! Thanks for watching the video! It’s a bit old now but the story is still true :) yes, wintertime Haguro is quite magical, I would definitely recommend it! I’m also looking forward to seeing you next month, so glad you are able to come!
Thank you Tim for your sharing. I had a Yamabushi friend, Father Mira, he was also a jesuit priest at the University of Sofia, in Japan, he died years ago. I hope someday to visit you, know, experience and live the Yamabushi way. I am brazilian, speaking portuguese and english, but I am very interested to stay in Japan, the rural area is my preference, learn japanese language, culture and buddhism.
Hi, thanks for your message! I have a Brazilian friend who is a yamabushi and has done yamabushi training in Brazil. You can find him at www.kangendo.com/. He has also come over here a few times and we have done yamabushi training together. If possible, it would be cool if you could either join him, or just come on your own! Rural Japan is the best :)
Thanks mate! I really appreciate it! Yes, I think it would be pretty hard if you didn't speak Japanese. I'm hoping to make it much more easier for people to come to the mountains :) Your video is also very good!
@@kiwiyamabushi Indeed, sooner than later I hope. I just finished the Larapinta Trail which was very "Omine Okugakemichi-ish". Great walk. Now heading out further into the Tanimi Desert. Australia published 4 steps to opening up borders yesterday, so hopefully first step towards a roadmap to open borders. Have had my first jab so will be fully vaccinated soon. Our new Matsu Basho tour will include Rokujurigoe Kaido from when we can open up, staying in Shizu. The Haguro training course on the Rokujurigoe was fun. Am thinking of doing one more Mineiri - to farewell our mutual priest friend on his 20th training course. Hoping that might be in 2022 but who knows.
Thanks Tim for the videos. I plan to join the Yamabushi training in 2023, in 2 years from now, when I take a sabatical as I plan to visit Japan on foot for 6-9 months. Your Yamabushi training offer seems to match exactly what I have in mind.
Hi Stephane! Thanks for your comment, I'm really glad you were able to get something out of my videos! When you come, please come and visit us at the Dewa Sanzan (see dewasanzan.com for more). If you can, you should definitely do Yamabushi training with us. Try to come between July and September, that's when Mt. Gassan is open and you can climb all three of the Dewa Sanzan.
Hi Kiwi, How many native Japanese yamabushis are currently there at Dewasanzan? When I watch videos I sometime get a feeling Master Hoshino is the only one. Are there separate yamabushi training programs (several days long) for Japanese people and for tourists? Can I join a program for Japanese people if my Japanese language is good enough? What is the relation between ancient yamabushi way (severe ascetic training that eventually lead to the person's mummification) that was officially abolished a while ago and the present day programs at Dewasanzan? Somehow I get a feeling the nowadays programs are just for tourists entertainment, something developed under the 'Cool Japan' for promoting Japanese traditions to tourists.
I'm from Texas but the Yamabushi are fascinating too me. I'd love to participate sometime when the pandemic slows in the future. I enjoy through hiking and I feel this would be a great way to see a portion of japan most people outside have no idea about. I think its humbling having CEO's and average people going through training together and hiking together on the pilgrimage. It looks like a beautifull experience and way to see rural Japan. I personally spiritual only ever feel at peace when I'm in nature and the the happiest I ever was spiritualy was the first time I climbed a mountain after having a major injury stall my life and force me to struggle with it and severe pain for over 3 years. I was made an invalid following my injury and I lost my ability to do what I had loved in life and fell into a dark hole but eventually I discovered hiking as a way to cope and my strength returned albeit at a permanently reduced level. At one point I decided to try my hand at hiking Yosemite's glacier falls as a challenge. I never thought I'd be able to submit the mountain initially, but In the end I managed it. Only through great difficulty did I persevere against myself, my doubts, and my fears, and when I reached the top I knew I could move forward once more in my life after years of it standing still. My soul was put at ease. Thank you for sharing your story and your journey, I will continue to look further into the culture of the Yamabushi and into this guided service for english speakers. I'd also be curious if you knew any good resources to learn more on Yamabushi and would be willing to share. Thank you and peace
Hi there. Thanks for your kind message. I am really glad that you were able to get out and climb the mountains, for Japan they have been a similar sort of respite for centuries, and this is something we wish to share with the world. With Yamabushido we have a monthly newsletter in which we share things that we have found inspiring and that we think will benefit people greatly. It's called Lessons From Mountains, and there's a sign up link at the bottom of yamabushido.jp. Otherwise, there are quite a few books on Shugendo on Amazon etc. although they can be rather academic. I don't have a recommendation per se, I'm working on translating our masters first book at the moment, so watch this space :) We focus more on the practical aspects of Shugendo, and I'd say you're already doing what you should be doing by going out into nature and reflecting on what you feel. Judging on what you say I think you have already experienced a sort of rebirth that we experience, and would say to just keep doing what you are doing. You've already inspired me!
Hi Justin! Great to hear from you and I’m glad you found my UA-cam :) I’ve been following yours for a while, thanks for the great content! Others would certainly be able to join the Akinomine Autumn Peak. You personally would be able to do it under special invitation as you’ve already done Master Hoshino’s training, but generally we’d need a recommendation from Master Hoshino which means coming and doing training with us, which people can find at Yamabushido.jp.
@@kiwiyamabushi it is your content that keeps me connected to Shonai and Japan. Thanks for sharing such thoughtful insights. I will set Akinomine Autumn Peak as a goal. I hope to make it back in 2021 or 2022. Best wishes, Justin
@@JustinCaffrey Glad to hear it! Someone from the UK has done it before, he joined us last year, so you'd definitely be able to join. The only thing really would be when they are next able to run it. I'll be there at least :)
Climbed mount Haguro 羽黒山 one year after my aunt died, on my second trip to Japan in 2018. It was in late April and Mount Gassan and Mount Yudono where still closed because of the snow. I prepared by buying white shoes and clothes before my trip to Japan. And when I arrived on the foot of Mount Yudono I stayed in a guest house of a yamabushi. I asked him if it would be all right to walk up the hill all in white because i didn't feel as a tourist and I wanted to respect the spirit of the place. He said this would be all right and I tried to respect the place on the pagoda I was blessed by a yamabushi before my hike up. And he asked me where I am from and I think he also approved my efforts to be respectful. When the virus is tamed I will take a for day yamabushi training just because what you does feels so natural to me even I haven't a Buddhist background a German. But I live in the mountains and arriving in Japan always tells like coming home. Thanks for your insights ☺️
Thank you. And sorry for your loss. You have done exactly what the mountains have been used for for over 1000 years. Yes, do make the effort to come here and do Yamabushi training if you can! You won’t regret it!
I did some sections of the Kumano Kodo last year, but it was very difficult to understand everything as it was all in Kanji. I'm living in Nagano prefecture, but I travel around a bit. I love the mountains of Japan, that's why I moved here. I've been trying to discover all of this by myself because I didnt really know where to look for help. I'll have a look at the rest of your stuff to get a good English interpretation of it all and probably leave more comments. thanks.
Kia ora! Thanks for your message and support! Even the Kumano Kodo had a lot of Kanji? I know the people that run that place (well, the tourism board there) and I thought there was a lot of English, but it seems there is still some work to be done. Personally, I have been trying to get English signs on the mountains here for a few years now. I want people to be able to walk from Mt. Haguro to Mt. Yudono, but as of right now the only way to do that is with a guide. Let me know if there's anything I can help with!
OMG I really want to learn and experience Shugendo once the pandemic blows over! Your videos are very informative (albeit the secret esoteric stuff that you left out through oath lol)! But the history is very thorough from your explanation! 👍👍👍
Hey thanks! You should definitely come along! To be honest, a lot of the stuff I don’t explain because I simply don’t know it :) there’s not much explanation during training at all, so I have to do a bit of my own research, but I think not having the explanation is actually better because you enjoy the experience for the experience, rather than trying to understand what the history books tell you (although there is of course value in that).
@@kiwiyamabushi Actually there are a few things I would like to know more about. If you can speak about them, En no Gyōja is a very interesting person/mystic/saint information about his history and exploits as well as the early formation of Yamabushi would be very interesting. Also if you could discuss if there is a link between Yamabushi practices and Shingon Buddhism I understand they both have the crossover of Sokushinbutsu as well as a few other esoteric practices, I would like to further understand this link.
Hi there!! These are two separate questions and they’re not mutually exclusive. I came here on the JET program and I was lucky enough to be placed right next to the Dewa Sanzan, the town I lived in claims the top of Mt. Gassan :) so I guess you’d have to find work nearby in order to move here. There are a few multinationals in the area like Mahle, Sony, TDK etc. or Spiber is another exciting company that uses English, if your Japanese isn’t up to scratch that is. To become a Yamabushi, you don’t actually have to live here. There are some Yamabushi who live overseas such as in the Netherlands or Brazil who come here annually for the weeklong Akinomine Autumn Peak Ritual. That would be your key to becoming a Yamabushi. To do so, you need a connection to a pilgrim lodge such as Daishobo, and they’d normally require you to have done some Yamabushi training with them before recommending you do the Autumn Peak. You can join us at Yamabushido.jp!
I hope this isn't too much, but is becoming a yamabushi like getting into a church? I'm trying to find a religion where I can live my life, find peace, but not be so religious, and Japan has been my fascination for a wile, would this be the right thing to look for?
Hi! I regard myself as non-religious! Shugendo that we follow is a 'do' a path or way, and is not a religion. It is certainly based on religion, Shinto, esoteric Buddhism, Taoism, and Nature Worship specifically, but it is not a religion in and of itself. You do have to go through the training to become a yamabushi officially, so in that regard it is like getting into a church, but that's only if you really want to. If you just want the benefits that come from training, then yes I think this might be what you're after. If you're wanting to join a 'religion', I suppose you could do that too, although I don't consider what I'm doing as religious. Hope that helps!
@@cirinosaldana4289 have you seen yamabushido.jp? I'm not allowed to divulge what the training is like, you have to do it to find out unfortunately (or not)! Shinto has been intertwined with Buddhism since Buddhism has been in Japan, it's like paganism and Christianity, it would be impossible to study one without the other. But you could still study Shinto approaches to Shugendo through Dewa Sanzan shrine!
Thanks for sharing Tim! Great story. I'm no UA-cam expert, but perhaps some hashtags could help with viewership. Nonetheless, I think everyone who watched really appreciated listening to your experience.
@@kiwiyamabushi support.google.com/youtube/answer/6390658?hl=en Maybe this might help. I saw a video explanation once that hashtags allow your videos to be found earlier and easier in UA-cam search. a sort of mini-hack to making it available to more people.
What would be the texts you would recommend to learn the Yamabushi way, since covid and money is an issue and travel and staying for the length required f9r the training I imagine is not that easy for foreigners... But maybe we can start by learning about the way by the texts and scriptures. Like for example, are the Heart and Lotus Sutra relevant?
Thanks for your question. Maybe I should do an explanation video about the prayers we do during Master Hoshino's Training. We do five main prayers; Sango Haishi to purify ourselves before meeting the gods, the Heart Sutra as you mentioned, mantras for each of the Buddha (Gongen) of the mountains, one really long prayer called Sanzan Shukuji about the Dewa Sanzan, and Sanzan Haishi, prayers to the individual gods. As a recommendation, I would say to memorise the Heart Sutra. It's used in temples all over Japan, and is the realisations Buddha had when he reached enlightenment. The basis is form is emptiness, emptiness is form.
@@kiwiyamabushi I have reached understanding of the Heart Sutra, and I'm working on memorizing it beyong the Mantra (however, it's in English, so I guess i should memorize both the Mantra and Sutra in Japanese too). And that video would be very helpful, I would be extremely grateful if you uploaded it. Once again thanks for the reply, and greetings from Mexico! :D
Wow that’s impressive! It probably won’t be too hard to learn the Heart Sutra in Japanese if you already know it. It’s based on Japanese appropriations of the original Chinese (which is based on the Sanskrit I believe). Yeah, we visit sacred places all over the Dewa Sanzan and pray these to the gods, and I understand it as purely showing appreciation to nature for all it has done for us, which is everything actually. I think from this appreciation we start to feel grateful for all we have, and this gratitude is what helps us be happy and healthy.
@@kiwiyamabushi Buddhism has helped me beyond what I can describe with my depression. And thanks for your encouragement. I don't know why, but so far most of what I've been able to read about Buddha's teachings, the Heart Sutra and what I've reas so far of the Lotus Sutra seem very logical and almost common sense. As for the Heart Sutra, I also think I was able to grasp it quickly because it ran along with what my mother told me about her medical knowledge and how intertwined all the body and the senses are, so that part of the Sutra made perfect sense for me. As far as memorizing it, I think I'll be more able to do it in Japanese (even if my Japanese is very basic) rather than in English because in Japanese it has a more rithmic or poetic style, while the English translation seems very "forced" (same goes for the Spanish translation). Songs and poems are easier to remember. I don't know much about the physical training, but there are several hiking trails in Mexico in ans around mountains and volcanoes that were sacred to the indigenous people. Issue is with covid restrictions and the current security problems in Mexico due the drug cartels operating in remote areas. Of all those hiking/mountains only 2 I would consider safe, and one is reserved for certain months by the Army to do mountain training exercises for their special forces.
@@1207rorupar the mountains of Mexico and the mountains of Japan were both mentioned in Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. Have you read it? There are a number of similarities in the culture that developed there
Do you speak Japanese? You could just join a Japanese language training with Master Hoshino through Daishobo. They take bookings on their Facebook page. Otherwise, your best bet would be to join Yamabushido! We can get you up to speed pretty fast :)
Hi, Tim! This is chama. I enjoyed this video. And I'm amazing your first syugyo is in Feb! I never experienced the winter time of Haguro. If I have a chance to go, I woukd like to be. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seein you again next month. Hopefully, I'm glad your shareing of the contents of the tour of next month. See ya!
Chama! Thanks for watching the video! It’s a bit old now but the story is still true :) yes, wintertime Haguro is quite magical, I would definitely recommend it! I’m also looking forward to seeing you next month, so glad you are able to come!
Thank you Tim for your sharing. I had a Yamabushi friend, Father Mira, he was also a jesuit priest at the University of Sofia, in Japan, he died years ago. I hope someday to visit you, know, experience and live the Yamabushi way. I am brazilian, speaking portuguese and english, but I am very interested to stay in Japan, the rural area is my preference, learn japanese language, culture and buddhism.
Hi, thanks for your message! I have a Brazilian friend who is a yamabushi and has done yamabushi training in Brazil. You can find him at www.kangendo.com/. He has also come over here a few times and we have done yamabushi training together. If possible, it would be cool if you could either join him, or just come on your own! Rural Japan is the best :)
Great informative video! When I attended and made my Yamabushi film, there was very little information available to foreigners. What a great resource!
Thanks mate! I really appreciate it! Yes, I think it would be pretty hard if you didn't speak Japanese. I'm hoping to make it much more easier for people to come to the mountains :) Your video is also very good!
Fantastic video Tim. Very generous sharing.
Hey thanks John!! Would love to do more training (or something like the Rokujurigoe Kaido) with you sometime :)
@@kiwiyamabushi Indeed, sooner than later I hope. I just finished the Larapinta Trail which was very "Omine Okugakemichi-ish". Great walk. Now heading out further into the Tanimi Desert. Australia published 4 steps to opening up borders yesterday, so hopefully first step towards a roadmap to open borders. Have had my first jab so will be fully vaccinated soon. Our new Matsu Basho tour will include Rokujurigoe Kaido from when we can open up, staying in Shizu. The Haguro training course on the Rokujurigoe was fun. Am thinking of doing one more Mineiri - to farewell our mutual priest friend on his 20th training course. Hoping that might be in 2022 but who knows.
Great to hear on all accounts!! I saw Aussie’s plan too. Larapinta trail sounds amazing! I’ll definitely be there if you join!
Thanks Tim for the videos. I plan to join the Yamabushi training in 2023, in 2 years from now, when I take a sabatical as I plan to visit Japan on foot for 6-9 months. Your Yamabushi training offer seems to match exactly what I have in mind.
Hi Stephane! Thanks for your comment, I'm really glad you were able to get something out of my videos! When you come, please come and visit us at the Dewa Sanzan (see dewasanzan.com for more). If you can, you should definitely do Yamabushi training with us. Try to come between July and September, that's when Mt. Gassan is open and you can climb all three of the Dewa Sanzan.
@@kiwiyamabushi That's exactly what I have in mind
@@stephanethierry3067 Awesome! Looking forward to it!
Hi Kiwi,
How many native Japanese yamabushis are currently there at Dewasanzan? When I watch videos I sometime get a feeling Master Hoshino is the only one.
Are there separate yamabushi training programs (several days long) for Japanese people and for tourists? Can I join a program for Japanese people if my Japanese language is good enough?
What is the relation between ancient yamabushi way (severe ascetic training that eventually lead to the person's mummification) that was officially abolished a while ago and the present day programs at Dewasanzan? Somehow I get a feeling the nowadays programs are just for tourists entertainment, something developed under the 'Cool Japan' for promoting Japanese traditions to tourists.
I'm from Texas but the Yamabushi are fascinating too me. I'd love to participate sometime when the pandemic slows in the future. I enjoy through hiking and I feel this would be a great way to see a portion of japan most people outside have no idea about. I think its humbling having CEO's and average people going through training together and hiking together on the pilgrimage. It looks like a beautifull experience and way to see rural Japan. I personally spiritual only ever feel at peace when I'm in nature and the the happiest I ever was spiritualy was the first time I climbed a mountain after having a major injury stall my life and force me to struggle with it and severe pain for over 3 years. I was made an invalid following my injury and I lost my ability to do what I had loved in life and fell into a dark hole but eventually I discovered hiking as a way to cope and my strength returned albeit at a permanently reduced level. At one point I decided to try my hand at hiking Yosemite's glacier falls as a challenge. I never thought I'd be able to submit the mountain initially, but In the end I managed it. Only through great difficulty did I persevere against myself, my doubts, and my fears, and when I reached the top I knew I could move forward once more in my life after years of it standing still. My soul was put at ease. Thank you for sharing your story and your journey, I will continue to look further into the culture of the Yamabushi and into this guided service for english speakers. I'd also be curious if you knew any good resources to learn more on Yamabushi and would be willing to share.
Thank you and peace
Hi there. Thanks for your kind message. I am really glad that you were able to get out and climb the mountains, for Japan they have been a similar sort of respite for centuries, and this is something we wish to share with the world.
With Yamabushido we have a monthly newsletter in which we share things that we have found inspiring and that we think will benefit people greatly. It's called Lessons From Mountains, and there's a sign up link at the bottom of yamabushido.jp.
Otherwise, there are quite a few books on Shugendo on Amazon etc. although they can be rather academic. I don't have a recommendation per se, I'm working on translating our masters first book at the moment, so watch this space :)
We focus more on the practical aspects of Shugendo, and I'd say you're already doing what you should be doing by going out into nature and reflecting on what you feel. Judging on what you say I think you have already experienced a sort of rebirth that we experience, and would say to just keep doing what you are doing. You've already inspired me!
This is wonderful background! Looking forward to talking with you this morning in #seekingsustainabilitylive at 9am 12/28
Hi Tim, great video (as always). I would love to eventually complete Akinomine Autumn Peak Ritual. Is that something others can work toward? Justin
Hi Justin! Great to hear from you and I’m glad you found my UA-cam :) I’ve been following yours for a while, thanks for the great content!
Others would certainly be able to join the Akinomine Autumn Peak. You personally would be able to do it under special invitation as you’ve already done Master Hoshino’s training, but generally we’d need a recommendation from Master Hoshino which means coming and doing training with us, which people can find at Yamabushido.jp.
@@kiwiyamabushi it is your content that keeps me connected to Shonai and Japan. Thanks for sharing such thoughtful insights. I will set Akinomine Autumn Peak as a goal. I hope to make it back in 2021 or 2022. Best wishes, Justin
@@JustinCaffrey Glad to hear it! Someone from the UK has done it before, he joined us last year, so you'd definitely be able to join. The only thing really would be when they are next able to run it. I'll be there at least :)
Climbed mount Haguro 羽黒山 one year after my aunt died, on my second trip to Japan in 2018.
It was in late April and Mount Gassan and Mount Yudono where still closed because of the snow.
I prepared by buying white shoes and clothes before my trip to Japan. And when I arrived on the foot of Mount Yudono I stayed in a guest house of a yamabushi.
I asked him if it would be all right to walk up the hill all in white because i didn't feel as a tourist and I wanted to respect the spirit of the place.
He said this would be all right and I tried to respect the place on the pagoda I was blessed by a yamabushi before my hike up. And he asked me where I am from and I think he also approved my efforts to be respectful.
When the virus is tamed I will take a for day yamabushi training just because what you does feels so natural to me even I haven't a Buddhist background a German. But I live in the mountains and arriving in Japan always tells like coming home.
Thanks for your insights ☺️
Thank you. And sorry for your loss. You have done exactly what the mountains have been used for for over 1000 years.
Yes, do make the effort to come here and do Yamabushi training if you can! You won’t regret it!
I did some sections of the Kumano Kodo last year, but it was very difficult to understand everything as it was all in Kanji. I'm living in Nagano prefecture, but I travel around a bit. I love the mountains of Japan, that's why I moved here. I've been trying to discover all of this by myself because I didnt really know where to look for help.
I'll have a look at the rest of your stuff to get a good English interpretation of it all and probably leave more comments. thanks.
Kia ora! Thanks for your message and support!
Even the Kumano Kodo had a lot of Kanji? I know the people that run that place (well, the tourism board there) and I thought there was a lot of English, but it seems there is still some work to be done. Personally, I have been trying to get English signs on the mountains here for a few years now. I want people to be able to walk from Mt. Haguro to Mt. Yudono, but as of right now the only way to do that is with a guide. Let me know if there's anything I can help with!
Thanks for the explanation. Very interesting.
No problem! Thank you for watching :)
Love the ending.
Haha thanks mate!
OMG I really want to learn and experience Shugendo once the pandemic blows over! Your videos are very informative (albeit the secret esoteric stuff that you left out through oath lol)! But the history is very thorough from your explanation! 👍👍👍
Hey thanks! You should definitely come along! To be honest, a lot of the stuff I don’t explain because I simply don’t know it :) there’s not much explanation during training at all, so I have to do a bit of my own research, but I think not having the explanation is actually better because you enjoy the experience for the experience, rather than trying to understand what the history books tell you (although there is of course value in that).
thank you.
Thank you for watching. Is there anything in particular you'd like me to talk about?
@@kiwiyamabushi Actually there are a few things I would like to know more about. If you can speak about them, En no Gyōja is a very interesting person/mystic/saint information about his history and exploits as well as the early formation of Yamabushi would be very interesting. Also if you could discuss if there is a link between Yamabushi practices and Shingon Buddhism I understand they both have the crossover of Sokushinbutsu as well as a few other esoteric practices, I would like to further understand this link.
How do you move there and become a yamabushi monk?
Hi there!! These are two separate questions and they’re not mutually exclusive. I came here on the JET program and I was lucky enough to be placed right next to the Dewa Sanzan, the town I lived in claims the top of Mt. Gassan :) so I guess you’d have to find work nearby in order to move here. There are a few multinationals in the area like Mahle, Sony, TDK etc. or Spiber is another exciting company that uses English, if your Japanese isn’t up to scratch that is.
To become a Yamabushi, you don’t actually have to live here. There are some Yamabushi who live overseas such as in the Netherlands or Brazil who come here annually for the weeklong Akinomine Autumn Peak Ritual. That would be your key to becoming a Yamabushi. To do so, you need a connection to a pilgrim lodge such as Daishobo, and they’d normally require you to have done some Yamabushi training with them before recommending you do the Autumn Peak. You can join us at Yamabushido.jp!
I hope this isn't too much, but is becoming a yamabushi like getting into a church? I'm trying to find a religion where I can live my life, find peace, but not be so religious, and Japan has been my fascination for a wile, would this be the right thing to look for?
Hi! I regard myself as non-religious! Shugendo that we follow is a 'do' a path or way, and is not a religion. It is certainly based on religion, Shinto, esoteric Buddhism, Taoism, and Nature Worship specifically, but it is not a religion in and of itself. You do have to go through the training to become a yamabushi officially, so in that regard it is like getting into a church, but that's only if you really want to. If you just want the benefits that come from training, then yes I think this might be what you're after. If you're wanting to join a 'religion', I suppose you could do that too, although I don't consider what I'm doing as religious. Hope that helps!
@@kiwiyamabushi hmm, what is the training like? And could I be able to just study shinto?
@@cirinosaldana4289 have you seen yamabushido.jp? I'm not allowed to divulge what the training is like, you have to do it to find out unfortunately (or not)! Shinto has been intertwined with Buddhism since Buddhism has been in Japan, it's like paganism and Christianity, it would be impossible to study one without the other. But you could still study Shinto approaches to Shugendo through Dewa Sanzan shrine!
@@kiwiyamabushi okay, thank you.
@@cirinosaldana4289 Welcome! I have a video on the history of religion in Japan that might also help!
Thanks for sharing Tim! Great story.
I'm no UA-cam expert, but perhaps some hashtags could help with viewership. Nonetheless, I think everyone who watched really appreciated listening to your experience.
Thanks Jeffrey! I really appreciate it! I'm not exactly sure how to do that, will have to have a look :)
@@kiwiyamabushi support.google.com/youtube/answer/6390658?hl=en Maybe this might help. I saw a video explanation once that hashtags allow your videos to be found earlier and easier in UA-cam search. a sort of mini-hack to making it available to more people.
@@juvetb1 Thanks! I'll definitely check it out :)
@@juvetb1 I tried it for this video, and I'll add some to the other videos too. Let's see how we go! Thanks for the suggestion :)
nice
Thanks mate!
What would be the texts you would recommend to learn the Yamabushi way, since covid and money is an issue and travel and staying for the length required f9r the training I imagine is not that easy for foreigners... But maybe we can start by learning about the way by the texts and scriptures. Like for example, are the Heart and Lotus Sutra relevant?
Thanks for your question. Maybe I should do an explanation video about the prayers we do during Master Hoshino's Training. We do five main prayers; Sango Haishi to purify ourselves before meeting the gods, the Heart Sutra as you mentioned, mantras for each of the Buddha (Gongen) of the mountains, one really long prayer called Sanzan Shukuji about the Dewa Sanzan, and Sanzan Haishi, prayers to the individual gods. As a recommendation, I would say to memorise the Heart Sutra. It's used in temples all over Japan, and is the realisations Buddha had when he reached enlightenment. The basis is form is emptiness, emptiness is form.
@@kiwiyamabushi I have reached understanding of the Heart Sutra, and I'm working on memorizing it beyong the Mantra (however, it's in English, so I guess i should memorize both the Mantra and Sutra in Japanese too). And that video would be very helpful, I would be extremely grateful if you uploaded it. Once again thanks for the reply, and greetings from Mexico! :D
Wow that’s impressive! It probably won’t be too hard to learn the Heart Sutra in Japanese if you already know it. It’s based on Japanese appropriations of the original Chinese (which is based on the Sanskrit I believe).
Yeah, we visit sacred places all over the Dewa Sanzan and pray these to the gods, and I understand it as purely showing appreciation to nature for all it has done for us, which is everything actually. I think from this appreciation we start to feel grateful for all we have, and this gratitude is what helps us be happy and healthy.
@@kiwiyamabushi Buddhism has helped me beyond what I can describe with my depression. And thanks for your encouragement. I don't know why, but so far most of what I've been able to read about Buddha's teachings, the Heart Sutra and what I've reas so far of the Lotus Sutra seem very logical and almost common sense. As for the Heart Sutra, I also think I was able to grasp it quickly because it ran along with what my mother told me about her medical knowledge and how intertwined all the body and the senses are, so that part of the Sutra made perfect sense for me. As far as memorizing it, I think I'll be more able to do it in Japanese (even if my Japanese is very basic) rather than in English because in Japanese it has a more rithmic or poetic style, while the English translation seems very "forced" (same goes for the Spanish translation). Songs and poems are easier to remember.
I don't know much about the physical training, but there are several hiking trails in Mexico in ans around mountains and volcanoes that were sacred to the indigenous people. Issue is with covid restrictions and the current security problems in Mexico due the drug cartels operating in remote areas. Of all those hiking/mountains only 2 I would consider safe, and one is reserved for certain months by the Army to do mountain training exercises for their special forces.
@@1207rorupar the mountains of Mexico and the mountains of Japan were both mentioned in Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. Have you read it? There are a number of similarities in the culture that developed there
Domo Arigatogozaimishita
Doitashimashite! Thank you!
Wear do you get the clothes?
Through the pilgrim’s lodges that we train with, or from Dewa Sanzan Jinja depending on which training we are doing! I think local people make them.
hi Tim can you help to guide me how I can learn and practice Shugendo . I want to learn both way the buddhist and Shinto one.
Do you speak Japanese? You could just join a Japanese language training with Master Hoshino through Daishobo. They take bookings on their Facebook page. Otherwise, your best bet would be to join Yamabushido! We can get you up to speed pretty fast :)
are Shugendo practitioners celebate ?
Nope! Although I think some were in the past, called Seiso yamabushi. But they died out after the Meiji restoration. At least here they did.