Shugendo, Shingon, Tendai,
Fall - Fortnight 19 (Earth+Wind)
4th Fortnight of Winter: Cosmic Harmony (Stages 10–12, Days 46–60)
4. Arriving within the Personal:
Within this rank, the Universal and Personal
beneficially interact, refining the attributes of the Personal. Each phenomenon’s
unique expression of the Universal is intimately perceived.
Introduction: The fourth cycle, days 46–60, aligns the practitioner
with the Tao and kami, embodying wuwei as a Master, progressing through
the chambers of Unity, Purification, and Endurance. Po’s stages (cosmic
orbit, bone marrow nei kung, zhenren living) are paired with Shugendo’s
nature offerings and snow meditations to foster cosmic connection.
Goal: Embody effortless harmony with the cosmos, purifying the body
and living as a zhenren, capable of guiding others.
How It Is Achieved: Across 15 days, three stages integrate Po’s meditations
(e.g., Cosmic Orbit) with Shugendo exercises (e.g., mountain offerings).
Stage 10 (Days 46–50) connects to cosmic qi, Stage 11 (Days 51–55) purifies
the body, and Stage 12 (Days 56–60) embodies wuwei, reflecting the cave’s
integration and resilience. Daily repetition strengthens cosmic alignment.
How It Is Measured: Success is marked by oneness with nature, physical
strength (e.g., bone vitality), and spontaneous actions. Journaling over
each fiveday stage tracks effortless meditation and leadership qualities,
with the milestone confirmed by deep cosmic rhythm alignment after 60 days.
Cycle 4: Cosmic Harmony (Stages 10–12)
Focus: Integrate with the Tao, embody wuwei, and connect with cosmic
rhythms.
Wood (Days 46–60)
Theme: Growth, flexibility, and nurturing the
Immortal Embryo (Neidan Stage 4: Nurturing the Embryo, Harmonizing Spirit).
Wood aligns with Shugendo’s forest asceticism and Zen’s natural metaphors.
Minor Feast (Day 46): Prepare a Shojin Ryori meal with bamboo shoots and greens, honoring wood’s vitality.
Feast/Dec
19: Japan. Shugendo, Tendai and Shingon
Sects. The taming of nature in the farm and garden and orchard. One straw
revolution. Korean natural farming. Swales, permaculture ponds. Mt Koyosan.
To explore ultimate reality thru ritual, mantra and mandala. Appreciation
of multi-culturalism and multi-religeous observance. (Japanese
Zen vs Chinese Chan.)
More evolved farming. 5 Food groups. Harvesting
and storing food. (Shugendo is a mix of Shinto, Tao, Buddhism) The
forest as mystery and Fudo. Hiking, seeking, exploring, pushing ones limits.
Food forests, foraging wild food vs cultivated farming. 75 Nabiki prayer
stations.
First 5 Day Ko
Day 1-5 of 1st Fortnight
Mind: Intro:
Stage 10: Cosmic Orbit (Po Stage 8 – Substage: Cosmic Orbit)
Meditation: Cosmic Orbit Meditation
Sit quietly, visualizing qi flowing beyond the body,
connecting to stars and the universe. Inhale, drawing cosmic qi into the
dantians; exhale, radiating shen into the cosmos. Feel unity with the Tao.
Practice for 40–50 minutes.
Purpose: Aligns with cosmic rhythms, embodying the Tao.
Connection to Po: Reflects Po’s cosmic integration.
Body: Wind
related practices. (daily 20" exercise)
Truths: Niname
sal Festival Shingon malas and mantras, 5
Bamboo breathing
History: Enno
Gyoja (634–701 CE), founder of Shugendo, blended Shinto, Taoist, and Buddhist
practices, centered at Kimpusenji and Hagurosan. Shingon malas and bamboo
breathing tamed nature, reflecting Fuxi’s creation. His distinctive mountain
asceticism explored ultimate reality through physical limits.
Mythos: Fuxi
& Nuwa creates humanity
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| Feast/Fast | Niname sal Festival Shingon malas and mantras, 5 Bamboo breathing | - | - | - | - |
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10. Creating the Immortal Fetus (Visualization of Yangshen)
Posture: Sit in full lotus position, spine straight, hands in Dantian mudra (fingers interlocked, thumbs touching, over lower abdomen).
Time of Day: Midnight (11 PM–1 AM) for Yang energy.
Breathing: Fire phasing (Huohou): 3 quick breaths (2 seconds each), 1 long breath (8 seconds), focusing on lower Dantian.
Dietary Changes: Light, energyrich diet (quinoa, goji berries). Avoid heavy meals.
Substances: Metaphorical “Golden Elixir”; astragalus tea (1 cup daily).
Exercises:
Physical: Stable lotus posture (20–30 minutes):
1. Use cushions, keep spine erect.
Energetic: Fire phasing meditation (20 minutes, midnight):
1. Sit in lotus position, tongue on roof of mouth.
2. Perform fire phasing breathing, intensifying lower Dantian.
Spiritual: Immortal Fetus visualization (15 minutes):
1. Visualize Jing (pearl), Qi (golden light), Shen (white light) merging in lower Dantian.
2. Form golden embryo, pulsing with life.
3. Affirm, “The Golden Elixir is born.”
Phenomena and Visions: Intense warmth or vibration in lower Dantian, spreading to spine. Energetically, pulsating energy like a heartbeat. Mentally, profound focus, unity. Spiritually, vivid golden embryo, celestial sounds or scents. Chen Pu: “The true seed forms, a golden light shines within the cauldron, its radiance like a child born of heaven, pulsating with the breath of the universe, accompanied by subtle melodies of the stars.”
Part 1: Jing (Essence) – Physical Practices
Focus: Physical actions connected to growth and
nature.
Basis: Shugendo’s wandering in forests; Zen’s nature as teacher.
Exercise: Walk slowly in a forest (or visualize one), feeling each step connect you to the earth’s pulse. Contemplate growth.
47. Tying Shinto Paper Rope
Basis: Shinto’s shimenawa
for sacred boundaries.
Exercise: Tie a small paper
rope (or string) around a tree or object, visualizing it as a boundary
for your sacred essence.
48. Sweeping Leaves
Basis: Zen’s mindful chores;
Dogen’s respect for nature.
Exercise: Sweep fallen leaves,
contemplating Dogen’s words: “A leaf falling is the whole universe.”
49. Planting a Seed
Basis: Chan/Zen farming; Neidan’s
nurturing of Jing.
Exercise: Plant a seed in
soil, visualizing it as your spiritual embryo, to be nurtured over time.
50. Using a Prayer Mala
Basis: Buddhist mala for mindfulness;
Shugendo’s ascetic tools.
Exercise: Run a mala through
your fingers, focusing on each bead as a step toward growth, visualizing
your essence expanding.
Second 5 Day Ko
Day 6-10 of 1st Fortnight
Mind: Intro:
Stage 11: Bone Marrow Nei Kung (Po Stage 3 – Substage: Bone Marrow Nei
Kung)
5 day Neidan Meditation: Bone Marrow Nei Kung Meditation
Sit or stand, gently tapping bones (e.g., arms,
legs) to stimulate marrow. Visualize qi penetrating bones, transforming
marrow into golden light. Inhale, filling bones with qi; exhale, strengthening
them. Practice for 25–30 minutes.
Purpose: Strengthens the physical body for cosmic unity.
Connection to Po: Reinforces Po’s physical refinement
for higher stages.
Body: Wind
related practices. (daily 20" exercise)
Truths: Shingon/Zen
incense, shinto paper strips, forest bathing, Shugendo Nozoki rope over
cliff
History: Saicho
(767–822 CE), founder of Tendai, introduced Chinese Tiantai to Japan, establishing
Enryakuji with 33 worship sites. Shingon/Zen incense and forest bathing
taught humanity, aligning with Fuxi’s fire gift. His unique multicultural
synthesis via mantra and mandala enriched Japanese Buddhism.
Mythos: Fuxi
teaches Humanity (Sui -Jen, brings fire)
Wind related practices. (daily 20" exercise)
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| Feast/Fast | -Shingon/Zen incense, shinto paper strips, forest bathing, Shugendo Nozoki rope over cliff | - | - | - | - |
| Practice |
11. Nurturing the Immortal Fetus (Stabilization)
Posture: Sit in lotus or halflotus, spine straight, hands on lower abdomen.
Time of Day: Morning (5–7 AM) or evening (7–9 PM).
Breathing: Slow, deep Dantian breathing (6 seconds inhale, 6 seconds exhale), focusing on three Dantian.
Dietary Changes: Energyrich diet with protein (tofu, nuts).
Substances: Cordyceps (1 tsp in tea daily).
Exercises:
Physical: Five Animals Frolic (20 minutes):
1. Mimic tiger, deer, bear, monkey, crane.
2. Coordinate with breathing.
Energetic: Dantian harmonization (15 minutes):
1. Sit in lotus position, hands on abdomen.
2. Inhale, direct Qi to lower, middle, upper Dantian.
3. Exhale, stabilize fetus.
Spiritual: Visualization (15 minutes):
1. Visualize golden embryo growing, enveloped in light.
2. Imagine it drawing strength from Dantian.
3. Affirm, “The Immortal Fetus grows strong.”
Phenomena and Visions: Sustained warmth in lower Dantian, increased vitality. Energetically, rhythmic pulsation in Dantian, like a living presence. Mentally, inner calm, purpose. Spiritually, embryo expanding, radiating golden light, protective aura. Chen Pu: “The seed matures, nourished by the true breath, its form growing stronger, enveloped in a golden radiance that pulses like a living star, guarded by the celestial light of the Dao.”
Part 2: Qi (Energy) – Mental Focus and Koans
Focus: Cultivating energy through wood-related
contemplation.
51. Koan: Dogen’s Cypress Tree
Basis: Zen koan: “What is
the sound of the cypress tree in the courtyard?”
Exercise: Sit in Zazen, contemplating
the cypress tree’s silence. Ask: “What is its voice?”
52. Breathing the Forest
Basis: Neidan’s circulation
of Qi; Shugendo’s forest energy.
Exercise: Inhale as if drawing
in forest air, exhale to release stagnation. Visualize Qi as green light
flowing through your limbs.
53. Chanting the Heart Sutra
Basis: Soto Zen’s use of the
Heart Sutra for insight.
Exercise: Chant “Gate Gate
Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha” softly, letting its rhythm align your
energy.
54. Koan: The Bamboo’s Bend
Basis: Zen’s metaphor of bamboo’s
flexibility.
Exercise: Contemplate: “How
does bamboo bend without breaking?” Let the question guide you to inner
resilience.
55. Contemplating Growth
Basis: Neidan’s nurturing
of the Immortal Embryo; Zen’s organic metaphors.
Exercise: Visualize a tree
growing within you, its roots in your Dantian, branches reaching your heart.
Contemplate: “I grow without effort.”
Third 4/5 Day Ko
Day 11-15 of 1st Fortnight
Mind: Intro:
Stage 12: Living as a Zhenren (Po Stage 8 – Substage: Living as a Zhenren)
Meditation: Wuwei Meditation
Sit or move (e.g., taiji) with effortless awareness.
Visualize the body as a conduit for the Tao, with actions flowing spontaneously.
Focus on naturalness, free of intention. Practice for 30–60 minutes.
Purpose: Embodies wuwei, living in harmony with the Tao.
Connection to Po: Aligns with Po’s zhenren state.
Milestone (Cosmic Harmony): The practitioner integrates
with the Tao, embodying wuwei and cosmic rhythms, with a fortified physical
body supporting spiritual expression.
Body: Wind
related practices. (daily 20" exercise)
Truths: Shingon
womb and diamond world banners, diamond sutra
History: Kukai (774–835
CE), founder of Shingon, brought esoteric Buddhism from China, founding
Koyasan with Tozanha Shugendo. Shingon womb and diamond banners instructed
humanity, as Fuxi did, through ritual. His distinctive mandalabased path
revealed unity in diversity.
Mythos: Fuxi instructs Humanity
Mythos: -
Wind related practices. (daily 20" exercise)
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| Feast/Fast | Shingon womb and diamond world banners, diamond sutra | Nika Danjiki* Fast | Nika Danjiki* Fast | ||
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**Nika Danjiki (Two-Day Ascetic Fast): "Danjiki" (cutting food) is a Buddhist term for fasting, used in Shugendo’s ascetic practices like mountain pilgrimages or waterfall meditation (takigyo). "Nika" specifies the duration. This name reflects Shugendo’s blend of Buddhism, Shinto, and nature-based austerity.
12. Perfecting the Immortal Fetus (Fruition)
Posture: Sit in full lotus position, spine straight, hands in Dantian mudra.
Time of Day: Evening (7–9 PM) for spiritual focus.
Breathing: Gentle, continuous breathing (5 seconds inhale, 5 seconds exhale), focusing on lower Dantian.
Dietary Changes: Nutrientdense foods (leafy greens, nuts). Avoid heavy meals.
Substances: Reishi mushroom tea (1 cup daily).
Exercises:
Physical: Gentle Qigong (15 minutes):
1. Perform “Wave Hands Like Clouds.”
Energetic: Three Dantian harmonization (15 minutes):
1. Sit in lotus position, hands on abdomen.
2. Inhale, circulate Qi through Dantian.
3. Exhale, stabilize fetus.
Spiritual: Visualization (20 minutes):
1. Visualize Immortal Fetus as fully formed, radiant immortal being.
2. Imagine it connected to cosmos via silver cord.
3. Affirm, “The Immortal Fetus is perfected.”
Phenomena and Visions: Radiant warmth throughout body, lightness. Energetically, unified energy flow, fetus feels “complete.” Mentally, profound peace, detachment. Spiritually, golden immortal figure, celestial palace. Chen Pu: “The spirit body forms, ready to ascend, its golden form radiant as the sun, standing in a palace of light where the heavens converge, complete and eternal in its divine essence.”
Part 3: Shen (Spirit) – Visualization and Altar
Work
Focus: Spiritual growth and connection to the
divine.
56. Wood Offering on Altar
Basis: Shugendo’s offerings
to forest spirits; Neidan’s symbolic growth.
Exercise: Place a small branch
or leaf on your altar. Meditate, visualizing your spirit as a tree reaching
for the heavens.
57. Visualizing the Immortal Embryo
Basis: Neidan’s nurturing
of the spiritual embryo.
Exercise: Sit, visualizing
a radiant child in your Dantian, growing stronger with each breath, symbolizing
your immortal self.
58. Forest Visualization
Basis: Shugendo’s forest meditation;
Zen’s nature as mirror.
Exercise: Visualize walking
through a forest, each tree a past life. At the center, find your true
self, radiant and eternal.
59. Offering to Forest Spirits (Fast Day) Nika
Danjiki* Fast
Basis: Shugendo’s reverence
for kami; Neidan’s transcendence.
Exercise: Place a small offering
(rice or fruit) under a tree, dedicating it to forest spirits. Meditate
on life after death, visualizing yourself as a bodhisattva in nature.
60. Contemplating Impermanence (Fast Day) Nika
Danjiki* Fast
Basis: Zen’s focus on transience;
Neidan’s preparation for immortality.
Exercise: Sit before your
altar, contemplating a fallen leaf. Visualize your body dissolving, yet
your spirit ascending as a bodhisattva.
