1. Purpose of Discipline
The purpose of Shingon discipline is to reach awakening in this very life and share the benefit with other sentient beings. This is called "Jogu Bodai, Geke Shujo" in Japanese and it means that to search enlightenment spiritually while saving other beings from suffering. Kobo Daishi pointed the following three vows for Shingon practitioners.
May we realize Buddhahood in this very life.
May we dedicate our selves to the well-being of people.
May we establish the World of Buddha on this earth.
Shingon practitioners should do their discipline based on these vows.
2. What kind of disciplines does Shingon Buddhism practice?
There are countless numbers of disciplines like, meditation, chanting, visualization, physical practice and etc. Some are limited to monks and some are opened to everyone. Shingon disciplines are practiced based upon cultivation of three symbolic activities of body, speech and mind. These symbolic activities allow you to experience the Buddha nature that exists within yourself and also of the large Universe. Therefore, Shingon disciplines should be transmitted from a master to a disciple directly according to his/her skill level. Searching your master is your first step.
a. Disciplines for Lay persons
Layperson can practice Shingon Service Order, Susoku-kan and Asoku-kan (breathing methods), Aji-kan and Gachirin-kan (visualizations), chanting sutras and mantras under the supervision of a master. Also the practice of the Ten Perfections in our daily life is the way to realize awakening for ordinary people. These Ten Perfections include
(1) sharing
(2) holding to the precepts
(3) having forbearance
(4) having perseverance
(5) engaging in meditation
(6) attaining wisdom
(7) perfection of skillful means,
(8) making vows
(9) engaging energies, and
(10) accumulating knowledge.
b. Disciplines for Ordainees Tokudo (Initiation)
If you wish to practice more intensive disciplines, you should receive initiation from your master first. Your master will be your teacher and sponsor for life. At initiation, you will take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and make a vow to observe the Ten precepts, then your master grant you precept name which is your Dharma name. This means that you will continue to practice as a disciple of Buddha in your life. If you wish to be a licensed monk/nun, you should proceed a petition to the headquarters through your master for registration (The headquarters requires a due).
Kegyo Discipline and Precepts
If you would like to go further, you should study basic teaching and chanting sutras according to your master's guidance, otherwise, it makes hard on you to continue disciplines. Next step is to practice 100 days discipline and receiving 250 of the full monastic Precepts. You can start discipline first or Precepts depending upon the conditions. This 100 days discipline is called Shido Kegyo (Four Part Prayoga) and you will learn the most basic rituals and visualizations during this period. This discipline can be practiced at Koyasan headquarters or local temples under the supervision of your master.
The Shido Kegyo practiced in Chuin-ryu school is as follow:
Rishukyo Kegyo One week Prostrations and chanting
Goshinbo Kegyo One week Prostrations and chanting
Juhachido Kegyo Two weeks Prostrations and chanting
Juhachido Shogyo One week 18 mudras Ritual
Kongokai Kegyo Two weeks 18 mudras Ritual
Kongokai Shogyo One week Vajradhatu Ritual
Taizokai Kegyo Two weeks Vajradhatu Ritual
Taizokai Shogyo One week Garbhakosa Ritual
Goma Kegyo Two weeks Three rituals
Goma Shogyo One week Fire and Fudo rituals
Prostrations, chanting sutras and mantras, meditations and rituals are practiced during these period three times a day and morning and evening prayers are held in additions to them. Each session takes about 2 to 4 hours and two sessions have to be done by noon each day without delay. The goya (early morning) session starts at 3 a.m., Nicchu (morning) session starts at 8 a.m. and Shoya (afternoon) session starts at 2 p.m. The first four weeks are preliminary disciplines which is considered as a cleansing Karma discipline.
You will practice prostrations more than 100 times and will recite sutras and mantras many times in a session. meditation Shogyo means that the formal practice. During the Shogyo period, the practitioner should concentrate the practice alone and should not contact to anyone other than a master. The practitioner practices to unite with paticular dieties in the ritual/meditation." Actual ritual starts at Juhachido Shogyo. After finishing the Kegyo, you should proceed a petition to the headquarters through your master.
The Jukai (full monastic precepts) ceremony is held in June only at Koyasan Headquarters, Japan. It takes three days and prostrations to the 1,000 Buddhas of the past, present and future (Butsumyo-e) is held each day. During this ceremony you will receive precepts of Mahayana, Theravada and Esoteric lineages. You should proceed two petitions to the headquarters through your master before and after (The headquarters require a due).
Denpo Kanjo (Abiseka Ritual)
Abiseka Ritual (Dharma Transmission initiation) is the most important part of the Shingon training. At this ritual you will receive secret mudras, mantras and Koka (Lineage list) from Maha Acharya. Other rituals are not permitted to transmit unless you have finished this Abiseka ritual. This Abiseka ritual is held in Autumn only at Koyasan Headquarters, Japan. It takes two to three days depending upon the conditions. You should proceed two petitions to the headquarters through your master before and after (The headquarters requires a due).
Kyoshi Kentei (Exam for Licensed monk)
After receiving Abiseka Ritual, you should take an exam to grant a license. This exam consists of written test of Shingon history and teaching, oral chanting test, ritual performing test and an interview. You can take the written test in English but asked to chant in Sino/Japanese form. When you pass this exam, you will be granted the license from the headquarters. You should proceed two petitions to the headquarters through your master before and after (The headquarters requires a due).
Ichiryu Denju (Transmission of the full teachings and rituals)
The full teachings of transmission of Kobo Daishi's lineage can be received from Maha Acharya. It takes period of time to receive all. You should consult with your master about taking this. You will practice prostrations more than 100 times and will recite sutras and mantras many times in a session. meditation Shogyo means that the formal practice. During the Shogyo period, the practitioner should concentrate the practice alone and should not contact to anyone other than a master. The practitioner practices to unite with paticular dieties in the ritual/meditation.
3. What kind of sutras and mantras are chanted in Shingon Discipline.
Shingon monks chant many sutras, mantras and dharanis in rituals and ceremonies. The followings are some of the examples recited in training sessions:
Kegyo Practices, Hannya Shingyo (Heart sutra), Kannon-kyo (Lotus sutra), Kongokai Reisan (Praise to Vajra World), Taizokai Reisan (Praise to matrix World), Rishu-kyo (Diamond Sutra), Bonmo-kyo (Brahma Net Sutra), Ryugibun (Mahayana Doctrine), Kujo Shakujo (Nine Stanza Stick), Sonsho Dharani (Buddhisnisajaya Dharani), Hokyoin Dharani, Muryoju Nyorai Konpon Dharani (Amitabha Tathagata Dharani) and etc.
Morning and evening prayers
Hannya Shingyo (Heart sutra), Kannon-kyo (Lotus sutra), Kongokai Reisan (Praise to Vajra World), Taizokai Reisan (Praise to matrix World), Rishu-kyo (Diamond Sutra), Bonmo-kyo (Brahma Net Sutra), Ryugibun (Mahayana Doctrine), Kujo Shakujo (Nine Stanza Stick), San (Praises to Buddhas), Jikido Saho (Dining Hall procedure), Daikokuten Saho (Mahakala procedure), Kojin Saho (Fire Guardian procedure), Segaki Saho (Procedure for Hungry Ghosts) and etc.
Meals
Jikiji Saho (Before and after meal procedure)
Practitioners should learn how to chant those sutras, mantras, dharanis and procedures prior to the disciplines, otherwise, it takes forever to finish a session.(Due varies depending upon where you practice.) Maha Acharyas who are teaching this transmission are limited.