MONAS | Tone 1 | Phrase 5: The Light that Pierces the Darkness of Avidyā

‘Star-Crossed Souls’ [Tone 1. Shiga: The Sea of Niho] 〜 This muddy vesture of decay 〜

“...I see. So that’s what it meant!”

Kaho, who had been staring intently at her smartphone screen in the passenger seat, suddenly looked up.

Although she had been utterly exhausted since morning—what with the sudden downpour earlier and two consecutive days of gruelling mountain climbing—her inherent nature as a history geek meant that once a switch was flicked, basic human infrastructures like food, clothing, and shelter were completely relegated to the back burner until the enigma was fully decoded.

Still in a state of absolute hyper-arousal, Kaho began to speak excitedly.

“Kai-san, it turns out the Thirteen Buddhas are the thirteen deities presiding over the memorial services (tsuizen kuyō) from the very first week after death all the way up to the thirty-third anniversary! These days, people often conclude the rituals at the third or seventh anniversary, so I had no idea... It begins with Fudō Myōō on Shonanoka (the 7th day), ‘cutting through worldly desires and dispelling delusion’, and reaches its first fulfilment with Yakushi Nyorai on Shijūkunichi (the 49th day). At this precise point, ‘the body and mind are purified, and the destination for reincarnation is decided’! And then, on Sankaiki (the 3rd anniversary, or the 2nd full year), Amida Nyorai ‘welcomes the soul into the Pure Land’. Eh?! You mean you can only go to heaven after two whole years? On the thirteenth anniversary (the 12th year), Dainichi Nyorai allows you to ‘become one with the truth of the universe’. And finally, on the thirty-third anniversary (the 32nd year)... the ultimate role of Kokūzō Bosatsu—whom we saw at the summit earlier—is to guard the journey of the Tomurai-age (the final farewell), as the soul returns completely to the heavens...! Does this mean a soul can’t truly find peace unless 32 years have passed...?”

“Not that they can’t find peace. Takes 32 years to slowly heal the lingering attachments and grief on this side. That’s simply how long it takes for the departed and those left behind to join hands, undergoing a period of rehabilitation so they can climb the mountain once more.”

“...Ah, I see... That’s exactly it. The ones wishing for pure bliss are the ones offering the prayers... A memorial service isn’t just for the departed; it’s a grace period for those left behind to accept the death and carry on with their own lives... So, climbing the Thirteen Buddhas was, in itself, an act of commemoration.”

“...And that is when, finally, one ‘attains infinite wisdom and merit’...”

Kai gave a short snort, his smoky quartz eyes fixed straight ahead as he gripped the steering wheel.

“Well, it is Azuchi. Grew up in a Jōdo Shinshū stronghold like Niigata myself, so it’s no wonder the sect took root in this area, especially with Rennyo Shōnin preaching even in Moriyama.”

“That’s true! It says right here that the Ōmi merchants converted to Jōdo Shinshū, praying for salvation in the Pure Land.”

“Fundamentally, the doctrine of Jōdo Shinshū lies in ‘Ikkō Sennen’—absolute devotion to a single Buddha, where all other deities are entirely encompassed within Amida Nyorai alone. But since Shinran Shōnin revered Prince Shōtoku as an incarnation of Kannon, they make a rare exception and display a statue of the Prince in the Mieidō hall. Sign back there said Prince Shōtoku carved a Buddha into the rock, didn’t it? Highly likely local indigenous beliefs and Jōdo Shinshū blended together here. ...Shinran Shōnin came down from the mountain because he realised he couldn’t sever his worldly desires even through the rigorous ascetic practices of the Tendai sect. Shut himself away in the Rokkakudō for 100 days, seeking a path to salvation from Prince Shōtoku.”

“Eh, Rokkakudō—you mean the one at Karasuma Rokkaku? Isn’t that the birthplace of the Ikenobō school of ikebana?”

“That’s right. Even gave its name to Rokkaku-dōri. Nowadays it’s known purely as the Mecca of ikebana, but it was originally the spot where Prince Shōtoku stopped off whilst seeking timber for the construction of Shitennō-ji. All began when he received a divine revelation there and built a small hall to enshrine a statue of Nyoirin Kannon. After the Prince’s death, his close aide, Ono no Imoko—the famous envoy to Sui China—took monastic vows to protect the site. Word is, the very roots of the Ikenobō school lie in him offering flowers before the Buddha morning and evening.”

“What!? That Ono no Imoko from the history textbooks is the founding father of ikebana!?”

“Yeah. Whether it’s a tea room or a formal sitting room, flowers and earthen walls are completely inseparable. Old master used to tell me, ‘If you’re going to be a plasterer, you’d better know the history of flowers too.’ ...And it was precisely at this Rokkakudō, preserved and passed down through the ages, that Shinran Shōnin received the divine dream revelation regarding ‘meat-eating and matrimony’ (Nikujiki Saitai).”

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