72 DAY EARTHSTAR SEASON
5 Mt System Fall Season
In the Living Gods, Let the hallowed Light of Transcendant Truth be praised. Let the Sweet Mystery of Miryai awaken in the heart of hearts.
Earth:
Yellow River Civilization (Northern China, Japan, Korea, S.E. Asia)
Fall Season: Pure
Land, Neidan, Chan, Zen, Shinto, Shingon, Tendai, Soto, Shugendo...
This Fall Season begins with the first new or full moon after October 25,
and lasts 2-1/2 lunar months. It contains five lunar fortnights which last
half a lunar month each. Each of these five 15 day periods focus on a different
spiritual problem and its solution. Like the other four seasons, this particular
one has its own unique region and focus. It is centered on the Yellow River
Civilization and various lands influenced by it, such as China, Japan,
and Korea and the spiritual movements that arose there like Taoism, Shinto
and Shugendo.
During the 73 day period of this season various
problems, like coldness, distancing, aloofness, unyeildingness, authoritarianism
and over rigidity, are addressed. In there place virtues like orderliness,
emotional control, ordered speech, forbearance and a disciplined mind are
developed. The ultimate goal is the sought after Satori of Zen and the
Golden Elixer of Chinese Alchemy. In pursuit of this, the best practices
and teachings from various esoteric schools of this region have been compiled
into the five fortnight program. Historical movements and influencial figures
of this region are:
- Shang Matriarchal Kingdom/Shinto 16th BCE Bone Oracles, Shinto, Kami in all...Korean Mu; Lao Tzu 6th c BCE; Chuang-Tzu 286 CBC.
- Zhang Daoling/5 Pecks 156 CE; Zhang/So. Neidan 11thc CE; Wang/No. Neidan 1170 CE.
- Bodhidharma/Chan 5thc CE; Baizhang 8thc CE Baizhang & Agricultural Chan, Farming for Enlightenment; Xuyun d1959 CE (119yrs) Chan Monasteries.
- Enno Gyoja/Shugendo 8thc CE (Kimpusen-ji & Haguro-san & Katsuragi Shugendo); Saicho/Tendai 822 CE (Shozan-ha Shugendo) 33 Worship sites; Kukai/Shingon d 835 CE (Tozan-ha & Honzan-ha Shugendo).
- Honen/Pure Land 1212 CE; Eisai/Rinzai 1215 CE; Dogen/Soto 1253 CE .
Each fortnight is divided into three periods
of five days each. Each one of these fifteen five day periods of the season
deal with a different phase and level of Neidan, or Chinese Alchemy. In
addition, there is a simplified ritual that begins each of these five day
periods, mostly taken from the Japanese tradition of Shugendo. The first
one of each fortnight is a bit more elaborate. Simple exercises or meditations,
mostly taken from the Chaan and Zen schools, are offered for observance
on all days. The predominant structural element of this program is the
15 day fortnight period which begins with a feast of sorts, and ends with
a two day partial fast. The 15 days are divided into three five day periods
(called "Ko" by the Japanese). Five of these 15 day fortnights complete
the seasons program. Five seasonal programs
complete the Liturgical Year. Each fiveday stage includes daily Po meditations
to cultivate internal energy and Shugendo exercises to deepen ascetic and
spiritual connection, progressing through Shugendo’s degrees and cave chambers.
The Five Chamber Cave initiation symbolizes death and rebirth, paralleling
Po’s alchemical transformation.
This 15 stage, 75day program offers a rigorous path toward immortality
and sagehood, blending Taoist alchemy with Shugendo’s mountain mysticism.
It seeks a properly structuring and balancing life, a natural lifestyle,
and communal farm life if possible. Sustainable, ordered, natural, harmonious
and peaceful lifestyle is the goal, along with Satori (Enlightenment).
Mountain farming, especially monastic farming, is a theme. Nature is sought
as a potential revealer of our Buddha nature. Each of this Fall Seasons
five fortnights are ruled over by one of the five Chinese elements, these
element inform the rites that are assigned therein and each is associated
with Neidan alchemy stages:
- Fortnight 1: Earth Element (Physical Vitality): Purifies the body and awakens qi through organ cleansing and cold endurance.
- Fortnight 2: Water Element (Energetic Mastery): Refines qi and forms the energy body via elemental fusion and cosmic connection.
- Fortnight 3: Fire Element (Spiritual Awakening): Crystallizes shen and dissolves ego with advanced alchemy and cave visualizations.
- Fortnight 4: Wood Element (Cosmic Harmony): Aligns with the Tao and kami, embodying wuwei through cosmic orbits and nature rituals.
- Fortnight 5: Metal Element (Immortal Transcendence): Transfers consciousness to the golden light body, achieving ascension.