How the training of monks in ancient times in Mt. Hiei was
conducted is expressed in four Chinese characters: Learning, Humidity, Cold and
Poverty.
This slogan, not a four-character idiom, represents the
peculiar characteristics of the training of Buddhist monks, consisting in
learning of Buddhism, endurance of high humidity during summer, endurance of chilling
cold during winder and endurance of poor diet all round the year. The prominent
Buddhist priest Nichiren studied here for a period of 12 years under such an
environment.
Nichiren once said that “the Kuonji temple in Mt. Minobe
is even superior to that in Mt. Hiei”. Therefore, those who train themselves in
wisdom here should be ready to be subject to the same kind of hardship and
training.
To put it in more plain terms, the Enryakuji Temple in Mt.
Hiei itself is a mountain as a whole, and the slogan expressed in four Chinese
characters of Learning, Humidity, Cold and Poverty represented the lives of
monks in the mountain to learn Buddhism subjected to such hardships as enduring
high humidity during summer, intense cold during winter and poor diet all year
round. In other words, to live a life of training in the mountain meant a
hardship and a struggle against nature.
I have no doubt that it will be highly beneficial for
leaders in future generations to learn about the environment in which Buddhist
monks were subjected in ancient times for the learning of Buddhism in order to
develop their sensitivity and be encouraged to practice it…
I have no doubt that it will be highly beneficial for leaders in future generations to learn about the environment in which Buddhist monks were subjected in ancient times for the learning of Buddhism in order to develop sensitivity and be encouraged to practice it…
Life is S.S.A.
Life is Sensitive, Snesible, Alert(c)Keiko Mizuno
Keiko Mizuno Keisho.GlobalResource Management Inc./USA SPACES INC.
info@keishogrm.com