Kukai is a great hero of mine given the importance of the six elements in his teachings. Like you, I have the translation of his major works. I will make a point of visiting the temple in Tokyo when I return to Japan. It took years to discover the role of Kakuban in reviving Shingon Buddhism and promoting the gorinto as a physical expression of the elements and the Great Sun Buddha. Both Kukai and Kakuban are fundamental to this fascinating religion. We can learn a lot from them. 😊🙏🏻❤️
The author did a really good job of bringing in Daoism. I didn’t realize that it was discouraged at court at the time and so Kukai was actually going against the grain. I really liked it that there was a section in the first part of the book where he reconstructed the small library that Kukai probably around and his reading was quiet deep and wide. Narita San and takahatafudo are fantastic temples. I’ll never forget the first learning about Narita san from pico Iyer’s first book. He barely mentioned it and he certainly didn’t mention what school of Buddhism it was but it kind of stuck in my mind for years and I was later surprised to find out it was also a Shingon Temple. Jann, thank you so much for being so incredibly encouraging. I really appreciate it!!
Kukai is a great hero of mine given the importance of the six elements in his teachings. Like you, I have the translation of his major works. I will make a point of visiting the temple in Tokyo when I return to Japan. It took years to discover the role of Kakuban in reviving Shingon Buddhism and promoting the gorinto as a physical expression of the elements and the Great Sun Buddha. Both Kukai and Kakuban are fundamental to this fascinating religion. We can learn a lot from them. 😊🙏🏻❤️
The author did a really good job of bringing in Daoism. I didn’t realize that it was discouraged at court at the time and so Kukai was actually going against the grain. I really liked it that there was a section in the first part of the book where he reconstructed the small library that Kukai probably around and his reading was quiet deep and wide. Narita San and takahatafudo are fantastic temples. I’ll never forget the first learning about Narita san from pico Iyer’s first book. He barely mentioned it and he certainly didn’t mention what school of Buddhism it was but it kind of stuck in my mind for years and I was later surprised to find out it was also a Shingon Temple. Jann, thank you so much for being so incredibly encouraging. I really appreciate it!!
What is there to say? -- And you've said it so beautifully, Leanne.
I wrote this one for you! You really inspired me to revisit my favorite temple and something that’s intrigued me for decades! Thank you so much!
Thank you! xoxoxoxoxo