During this year’s Autumn-Peak Mountain-Entry, I was privileged to present the manuscripts for the annotated translation of the Outline of the Haguro Dharma Lineage of Shugendō. This text has accompanied me for over ten years and in its own way, the process of translating it also became a process of recording the oral-traditions of Dewa Shugen. Presenting these to Kōtakuji's current tōbu-daisendatsu in the exact site within the precincts of Kōtakuji where his direct ancestor, Rev. Dendō, would sit and write the text was a great honour, and I hope reflects in some small way an act of gratitude and responsibility to the lineage; a small tributary that may contribute to its ongoing flourishing – something that's always hanging by a thread. I was able to dedicate this text formally during the Assembly dedicated to the Prajñāpāramitā (般若会; hannya-e). Following Mountain-Entry, several practitioners from Kōtakuji completed a pilgrimage to the inner sanctuary of Yudono. Following this, I was able to spend a week with a dear teacher. The next project, thanks to the work of Gaynor (Jikun) Sekimori will be an updated translation of the Autumn Peak's sanzangongyōshiki.
"Wholehearted salutations to Mt Haguro
The manifestations of which dim their light for the sake of beings throughout the three realms.
Indeed, with the founder, Nōjō, this sacred mountain flourished.
By imperial decree, he came to be known as the great bodhisattva Shōken.
Here, this inconceivable sattva
Ascended and arrived at the most wondrous fruit
The form of this great hermit-bodhisattva
appeared as the august child of emperor Sushun
to be known as Prince Hachikō
Tracing the footsteps of Prince Siddhartha
Year by year, he gathered firewood and drew water
Attaining the inner realisation which is not communicated by buddhas and patriarchs
but which is only realised mind-to-mind
Attaining to jinen-jōbutsu
Alas, he became the originator of Shugen
free of conceptual proliferation; a sage of Prajñāpāramitā
"Do not speak of it - Do not ask of it"
He revealed these two vajra-acolytes - Jōma and Kongō
as well as the true meaning of the innate ten realms
Even with the passing of a thousand years
The spirit of this mountain peak continues to be conveyed and transmitted.."
— From the Wasan Dedicated to the Great Bodhisattva Shōken.
namu kaisan shōken daibosatsu
namu sanko daihi henjō nyōrai
