Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Universal Law

Kiko is based on Universal Laws (HoDo). Hodo is made up of two kanji. The first, Ho(u), refers to many things depending on how it is used. But in this case we mean Universal Law or Natural Law. The Do(u) is the same as any Japanese Art; do(u) refers to the Chinese Tao and tells us that this is a way, method, or path to balance our world's energies known as InYo or Shadow Sunshine.

In Shingon this idea of InYo 'Shadow Sunshine', like HoDo, also has many meanings depending on how it is used (this happens a lot when there are both (kenkyo)exoteric and (mikkyo) esoteric interpretations and practices. Also different lineages passed down different aspects, depending on what was needed and what was understood by those involved). But for kiko we are primarily talking about the interplay between opposites. In the movements we combine up down, left right, front back, in out, etc.
FuSui or wind water comes in to play, as well. FuSui deals with the flow of energy in the world and how we interact with our environment. Even we, as human beings are mostly made of air and water, we are very porous creatures. In the exoteric practice of FuSui it can be a kind of geomancy, which tells us where to place things in our homes and yards. In it's esoteric form it begins from within the very core of the 'central' individual and grows outward to include the entire cosmos.

FuSui deals with the 5 elements of Shingon (the exoteric school uses 5, the esoteric teaching has a 6th)(these include: Earth, Water, Fire, & Wind; the other two vary again according to how they are being used, but they deal with the relationship between humans, our thoughts, and Heaven / Spirit / other than man and earth stuff) that doesn't fit into an English translation (or words at all for that matter) very well. FuSui also deals with the cardinal directions, and it also works with the Sun, Moons, Stars and Planets.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Sokushin Jobutsu

Kiko is based on the basic premise of Shingon Buddhism.
Shingon-shu is the school of the true sound/word.
The basic premise of this school is Sokushin Jo(u)butsu.
Sokushin Jobutsu = Attaining Buddhahood in this very life/body.
This is done through San-Mitsu.
San-Mitsu = The Practice of the 3 Mysteries.
First is the Body. We form the inzo(u) or seals with our hands and bodies, these are our positions. With our breath we move between these seals from one to another.
The second is speech/sound. It refers to our breath, and the 'shingon' or true words we read, chant, and speak.
The third is the mind, and refers to our meditation. We dwell in a meditative state throughout every heartbeat and breath.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Shugyo - Austere Training

Shugyo is another interesting word. Usually translated now as Acetic Discipline or Austere Training.

Shu = To Conduct Oneself Well.
Gyo = Going or Action
This is a refined action of mutual polishing, where the practice polishes the person and the person's action polishes the practice.

In our teaching the word is translated as 'Sweeping the dust balls from the corner.' It refers to the idea of training to find the last little bits of... 'something.' We use Kiko Renshu to polish and knead our practice which, through awareness, finds the dust balls in the corner and cleans... 'something.'