(NyuGa GaNyu)
Living in an age of ever growing technology, we have perhaps forgotten the sense of awe, the mystery of existence. Seasons come and go hardly without notice. Christmas has become big business. Presents are bought and exchanged. Halls are decked with boughs of holly and mistletoe. Trees are decorated and lighted and...for the most part, we do not know why. The meaning behind such seasonal celebrations has been long buried and lost deep within our consciousness.
How things grow has always held a deep fascination. How a seed can be put into the earth only to become food within a matter of weeks. Days even, in some cases. The unseen inter-action of earth, water, sunlight and heat. How crops will grow in one season but not in another. This is the natural order of combined causes and their effects.
For thousands of years, man has worked on the land using the natural elements and being fully aware of the turning seasons in order to produce food to sustain the life of his family. Today, it is taken for granted that the food we need will be there on tap. Summer and winter foods are expected with little, if any, thought as to how the produce we enjoy so much appears in our shops and on our tables. In short, we have become disconnected with the workings of Mother Nature.
In the past, there was a deep sense of awe and respect for the seasons and their elements and a deep appreciation for the produce of the land in all the forms it took. There was also a sense of 'Connectedness' to the land, the environment and a healthy respect for the powers of the elements (Earth, Wind, Fire and Water). Disturb the balance in one way or another and there was sure to be some form of recoil.
The Japanese worshipped the forces of nature through ShinTo (The Kami Way). 'Kami' is a word mistakenly translated as 'God/Gods'. However, the original Chinese meaning from which ShinTo stems, ShenDao, carries the meaning 'mysterious' and 'unfathomable' power and even included 'form'. Particular trees, rocks and mountains can be termed Kami for the special quality, character or energy they possess.
One of the most central Kami is Amaterasu O'Mikami (Heaven's Light Spreading). Similar to many ancient religions, the Sun played a central role in all life and ShinTo is no different in this respect. In fact, similar stories or myths concerning Light and Darkness are repeated in different cultures almost as if they are referring to an actual event(?)
The world is plunged into Darkness and chaos (The Sun, the Light, is hidden). Light returns to the world. The Sun once again shines on to and regenerates the world.
In a more general view, light and darkness simply referred to the change of the season. Light for Summer. Darkness for Winter. For the farmer, winter was the time of little or no crops. Little wonder then that there was celebration as winter gave way to spring and summer as Amaterasu O'Mikami began her summer journey across the skies.
As Buddhism filtered into Japan via Korea, many of its Buddha's and Bodhisattva's supplanted the Kami. The ShinTo Kami of the land was Okuni Nushi no Mikoto. The Buddhist counterpart was Daiji Zai Ten better known as Dai Koku Ten. The Buddha of farmers and field labourers. Dai Koku Ten seems to have the appearance of Father Christmas which comes as no surprise as he also represents bringing of gifts (the promise of healthy crops) carried in a sack over his left shoulder. He is a jolly, plump fellow. Carrying a huge mallet with which he helps to frighten away the winter. He also carries a wish fulfilling jewel, tied to his wide, leather belt. Of course the image of Amaterasu O'Mikami and Dai Koku Ten Bodhisattva are simple pictures representing the more cosmic interaction of earthly and heavenly energies (Ten no Ki/ Chi no Ki) and like Christmas with its decorations, images of the two are put out in homes. Especially the kitchen were food is brought, prepared and eaten. Offerings are put out- fruit, vegetables, rice, fish, sake and water representing gifts from the earth and oceans. A sign of giving back to the powers of the Kami. A simple candle is allowed to burn through the night as a symbol of the coming sun. In some traditions a fire or Yule log is kept burning through the night on the eve the sun begins its summer course. December in the Northern Hemisphere (24th/25th) and June in the Southern Hemisphere (22nd/23rd).
It may sound strange, even sacreligious that two seemingly opposing spiritual disciplines (Buddhism and Shintoism) would merge or assimilate aspects of each other. Although it true there was resistance to Buddhism at the outset, great benefit was gained by having both almost side by side. Some Japanese schools like their Korean and Chinese counter-parts, saw the wisdom in this concept of integration strongly reinforced by the Tendai teaching of NyuGa GaNyu (入我、我入) or "The One within or as The Other".
Thus apart from the actual, simple enjoyment of such celebrations, they are equally a simple reminder of a great connectedness to the whole. Today, there appears to be a great 'unawareness' of nature and the cosmos of which we are an integral part. And no matter how we view such practises of offerings or paying respect to Kami or Buddha's as ancient, or pagan or unrelated to a so called 'modern age' they remain vital, magical keys to a magnificent mystery that outstrips beyond the imagination anything mankind in its limited knowledge can produce. Recent climatic events have tragically reminded us of the cost of an almost global dis-connectedness.
We forget our earth and the cosmos are living and maintained by very subtle harmonious balances and inter-actions of energies. Nothing stands alone in this universe. A Heavenly Body sustained by a single centre or Heart/Mind from which all else emanates. And so our own bodies fight off disease and imbalances, so the universe does the same. Disciplines such as Daoism, Shinto and Buddhism remind us of our part within the scheme of cosmic order. And the seasonal festivals and celebrations, beyond the commercial, allow us to bring that awareness to a point through NyuGa GaNyu (入我、我入). The One Within or as The Other.
gassho
(Reverend Jiryo Moxon)
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Celebrating The Mystery of Seasons
