Senninzawa: The Ascetic Training Ground
In the secluded mountains of northern Japan, a remarkable tradition unfolded from the 1200s until the 19th century. Ascetics embarked on a journey of self-mummification, known as sokushinbutsu, to transcend mortality and achieve enlightenment. The rugged terrain of Senninzawa, with its majestic peaks and soothing mountain stream, served as the training ground for these dedicated practitioners.
Immersed in this tranquil yet challenging environment, the ascetics endured rigorous meditation practices, isolation, and deprivation. They embraced a minimalist lifestyle, renouncing worldly possessions and material comforts, as they sought to purify their minds and bodies. The flowing stream mirrored their relentless pursuit of inner transformation, washing away impurities and awakening them to the profound interconnectedness of all beings.
Markers of Accomplishment: The Tribulations of the Sennin
Within the training grounds of Senninzawa, markers of accomplishment stand as testaments to the perseverance of the ascetics. Some bear inscriptions recounting the tales and achievements of dedicated practitioners, such as Zenkai and Unkai, who endured years of asceticism and meditation.
One figure, Tetsuryukai, endured over 1,000 days of asceticism in the mountains, even going so far as to self-inflict the removal of his left eye, praying for a cure for the rampant eye-illness in Edo. Tragically, Tetsuryukai fell ill during his journey to become a living Buddha and passed away, his memory fading into oblivion.
The Mysterious Resurrection
Tetsuryukai’s story did not end there. He began to appear in the dreams of two individuals, Maruyama and Tojiro, prompting them to retrieve his body. Under the cover of night, they exhumed the remains and transported them to Kannon Hall, carefully removing the viscera before embarking on a perilous journey across treacherous mountains to Churen Temple.
At the temple, Tetsuryukai’s body was suspended from the ceiling and left to dry, following the practice of other revered monks. This remarkable resurrection serves as a testament to the devotion and spiritual dedication that shaped the lives of those who pursued sokushinbutsu, the living Buddhas who sought transcendence even in the face of mortality.
The tales of sokushinbutsu offer a glimpse into the extraordinary lengths individuals were willing to go in their quest for enlightenment. The trials faced by the ascetics at Senninzawa and the resurrection of Tetsuryukai’s body remind us of the unwavering pursuit of the human spirit, transcending the boundaries of the physical and spiritual realms.
