The Shingon, Shugendo, Shinto, Tendai, Taoist, Pure Land and Soto and Rinzai Zen traditions are merged with the Gnosis, thru "Skillful means", in this 73 day study and practice program. Each 3 day period addresses one common theme, and five of these make up half a lunar moonth, or Fortnite. There are five Fortnites in this Season. The Season, and its first fortnite, can start on either a new or full moon, (depending on when the previous season ends). There is a 30th lunar month day, or a 15th day of the waning moon fortnite, only about half the time. It is simply ignored when the upcoming new moon cuts the lunar month short.
 

With the onset of winter, the Earthstar season begins with its emphasis on the Zen-Shugendo Path. With its "earth" element nature, emphasis is put on the natural world - on Mother Nature and her two aspects: horticultural food production and the "wilderness" or wildness of untamed forest and mountain. The rational for focus on the natural world is to understand the natural part of ourselves that evolved up thru evolution, both mind and body, with a hope of differentiating such from the other more eternal part of ourselves that is not a product of evolution on this planet.

Particular emphasis is put on the Shugendo world view where the Transformational Realm, the Buddha world, manifests in nature - in mountain, cave and field. The traditional Shugendo view is that the "kami" (spirits) descend to the valleys in spring, manifest in the miracle of grain and vegetable growth, and then return to the mountain wilderness, to deep mysterious caves, till winter has ended. To walk in harmony with this movement, the Shugendo warrior follows this flow from field to cave and cave to field. Anciently the "kami spirits" were often worshipped at boulders near the foot of high mountains. This world view should be understood as the outer manifestation of the inner self, the True Self/Buddha Nature contrasted with the outer self, body and world and the movement  from one to the other.

The Kami are not gods, they are the two sides of mother nature and the natural world: the life force animating crops, and the dormant life force of nature during winter months. These two sides of life also manifest as the outer conscious mind and the inner subconscious self. By understanding the two sides of outward nature, we can discern the two sides of our inward nature, our own natural selves - the conscious and subconscious. This is the womb world without and within. The Diamond world is different. It is Eternal. It is from somewhere else and did not arise from evolutionary fires on this planet over hundreds of millions of years. Our Diamond Self is our True Self that is discovered once we see clearly into the nature of our womb world self.

So in this Earthstar season, a clear understanding of ones own inate buddha nature or diamond nature (True Self) is sought thru first perceiving and then extrapolating ones natural conscious, subconscious and bodily awareness, leaving the Diamond Nature exposed and naked. This was attempted not just by spending time in nature, forest bathing, but thru very specific means during retreats.

Mountain retreats by ascetics were called "peaks" and happened in various seasons of the year, the main one being the fall peak. Therein one must unravel and understand the Mystery of the Womb World, of Mother Nature or the Five Dakinis of Nature, so that they can separate in themselves that which is of the womb world and that which is of the eternal world that abides and does not fluctuate. By discerning the natural body and mind, on can discern the diamond mind and world that preceded it. Thus the emphasis on finding ones Buddha nature whilst wandering in the wilderness of nature's manifestation. Self identification as the buddha/bhodhisattva Fudo that might occur while on wilderness retreat points to the fact that our true Diamond Self can be discovered once we aquatint ourselves with all aspects of our womb self. In this tradition the Fall Season, or Fall Peak is the time for particular emphasis on such practices. The Fall Peak lasts 73 days (beginning the 16th new fortnight after Mar 20, around October 25 when frosts descend).

The separating of the two natures, womb and diamond, is understood as five stages, and as ten levels. the 5 stages in SHugendo are represented by the five stages of ascent into the Okunoin Cave.

The Five Ranks or Positions of Dongshan:

• 1. The Apparent Within the Real (Shochuhen)
• At the beginning of the night’s third watch (midnight), before there is moonlight, don’t be surprised to meet yet not recognizewhat is surely a familiar face from the past.
• 2. The Real Within the Apparent (Henchusho)
• An old crone, having just awakened, comes upon an ancient mirror; that which is clearly reflected in front of her face is none other than her own likeness. Don’t lose sight of your face again and go chasing your shadow.
• 3. Coming From Within the Real (Shochurai)
• Amidst nothingness is a road far from the dust. If you are simply able to avoid the reigning monarch’s personal name, then you will surpass the eloquence of former dynasties.
• 4. Arriving in Both (Kenchushi)
• (Going Within Together ) Two swords crossed, neither permitting retreat: dexterously wielded, like a lotus amidst fire. Similarly, there is a natural determination to ascend the heavens.
• 5.  Attainment in Both/Unity Attained (Kenchuto)
• Fallin into neither existence nor nonexistence, who dares harmonize? People fully desire to exit the constant flux; but after bending and fitting, in the end still return to sit in the warmth of the coals.

    Hell
    Hunger
    Animality
    Anger
    Humanity
    Rapture
    An Intermission – reviewing the lower 6 paths
    Learning
    Realisation
    Bodhisattva
    Buddhahood

These stages were once symbolically acted out in traditional Shugendo mountain retreats by the following events:  (see The Cave and The Womb World)

•     Hell - The Hell Rite. on the first night of a mountain retreat the initiate takes a small round stick and hits themselves and convinces themselves of their ability to realize buddhahood in this very body. Also being  hung upside down over a cliff by ropes.
•     Hunger - The Rite of hungry ghosts is confession. The initiate confesses their sins in a secret room to the head of the group.
•     Animality - the Rite of Beasts is the weighing of sin. The leader ties up the initiate and lifts them up to weigh their misdeeds.
•     Anger - The Rite of Devils is the going without water punishment.
•     Humanity - The Human Rite is the use of water. The leader sprinkles drops of water on the initiate with a thin stick.
•     Rapture - The Rite of Heaven and the Asuras is wrestling and dancing. Initiates engage in this.
•     Learning - The Disciples Rite is a dance celebrating longevity.
•     Realization - the Rite of self enlightened buddha consists of collecting sticks, giving them to the leader. A fire ritual is performed with the twigs.
•     Bodhisattva - the Bodhisattva Rite entails abstinence from grain for 7 days.
•     Buddhahood - The Buddha Rite is the consecration ritual entailing pillar erection signifying their becoming a buddha in this very body.

THE TEN WORLDS- Ichinen Sanzen -

"The lowest of the ten worlds is Hell, a state in which we feel uncontrollable anger and suffering and can't imagine anything beyond our own suffering.

    The world of Hunger is characterized by constant craving and a feeling of never being fully satisfied. More food! More money! More power! More stuff! It’s the state in which our desires rule us.
    Animality is the world in which one acts instinctively without reason without considering the effects our actions have on us or on anyone else. 
    In the world of Anger we feel superior to other people, raging and blaming others for what happens to us.
    In the world of Humanity we feel calm and composed, and can go about our lives based on reason.
    The world of Rapture is the feeling of a dream come true. A goal achieved, a desire fulfilled. He loves me! She loves me! I got the job! I won the lottery! 
    In the world of Learning we absorb and profit from the accumulated knowledge that other people have handed down.   
    Realization is the world in which we come to some understanding about the nature of reality through our direct experiences.
    The world of Bodhisattva is exemplified by compassion. In this world we naturally focus on helping other people. Feeding the hungry, easing someone else’s suffering, comforting a friend are all examples of a Bodhisattva life condition.  
   Finally there is the world of enlightenment or Buddhahood, the perfect fusion of subjective wisdom and objective reality. In this state our happiness is not dependent on outside events or circumstances. Buddhahood is a state of unshakable joy, freedom, compassion and understanding that comes from within. " - https://nstny.org/the-ten-worlds

(This program is not traditional Zen or Buddhist, but does incorporate some of the terminology and teachings from both intermingled with various Manichaean and Gnostic terms and teachings. The precedent for this Skillful Means hybridizing of Gnostic Teachings with other traditions was first set by the Gnostic prophet Mani in the third century. Under His auspice the Manichaean faith presented its core values and messages under various guises, the Buddhist one especially in the east. This buddhistization influenced the Shingon zen tradition of Japan, among others.) There are three levels to our approach to this Season: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. 

• Beginner: Minimum attention to the "program" of this Season entails a one time perusal and study of this introductory page.
• Intermediate:  The Intermediate level entails a once per fortnight (15 day)  perusal and study of the fortnight theme.
• 1st Fortnight, 
• 2nd Fortnight, 
• 3rd Fortnight, 
• 4th Fortnight, 
• 5th Fortnight Satori.
• Advanced - 73 Day Program:  Advanced level involves a daily immersion in the themes and focus of each day of the 73 day season in an attempt to climb up to the 33°.

 

Problem/Avoidances	Beginning Level	Intermediate Level	Advanced Level
Earthstar: Lack of awareness, ignorance, unconsious behavior. Disrespect and disregard of others. Drug or alcohol dependence. Social media addiction. Influenced by propoganda and advertizing. Nervousness, restlessness.	Awareness of surrounding, mindfulness, observant conscious awareness.	Mental awareness, observant of mental workings, meditation, Zazen	Satori, enlightenment, transcendant thought, profound insights. Security, safety, continuity. Content.

• ABSTRACT: The value of the Earth Path is a reconnection with the natural order and with the natural state of our original nature and mind. overarching theme of the Season: Restoration of oneness with the Natural World as seen thru the eyes of Dogen.  Reconnecting to one's True Buddha Nature and interacting with others on that same enlightened level.
• GOAL:  The specific goal is Satori and Nirvana.
• PROBLEM: The dearth of awareness and enlightenment. 
• REASON: The reason being our disconnect with our true  buddha nature.
• HISTORY: The development of the problem
• REMEDY:  The proposed solution is gaining awareness thru zazen.
• METHODOLOGY: The approach offered
• RYTHYMN: The 73 day practice schedule - 3, 5, 7, & 15 day periods: 
• APPROACH:  Farm Collective/Family/Isolated individual
• EXAMPLES: The historical figures that exemplify
• RECORDS: The writings that are helpful
• WEEDING: The recognition and avoidance of pitfalls found in history and texts
• PROCEDURE: The specific plan per fortnight
• CONCLUSION:  The concluding evaluation of progress made
• INSIGHTS: Notes for future attempts
• PARADOX: The enigmas of this facet and formula of transcendance
• WARNINGS: Avoiding self delusion

ENDING:  The closure of the period, giving away merit, owning change, fortnight fast, reset/reboot