Takuhatsu—Begging for Enlightenment

My dharma name (hōmyō, 法名) is Jōji (盛慈) which means ‘thriving compassion’ and I want to express my profound appreciation for all those who take the time to visit this blog. I also want to extend a special invitation. You have the opportunity to become a part of something that has never been done before—at least never done over the internet. You get to help create a very unique Buddhist monk.

Monks of the Past

In the past, most Buddhist monastics were supported not by powerful and rich patrons but by the charity of the average person. Everyday, in the earliest hours of the morning, monks and nuns poured out of the monastery and into the streets with their begging bowls where they received food and materials necessary to sustain their lives. This practice of begging for one’s living (and, in effect, for one’s own enlightenment) is called takuhatsu (托鉢) in Japanese. Average individuals supported the monastics and the ideals they stood for—the ideals those same monastics devoted their lives to. These same ideals added richness and meaning to the lives of everyone involved. This relationship is an expression of true enlightenment because enlightenment is not achieved, nor does it belong, to just one person. Nirvana or ‘enlightenment’ is the fruit born from human beings cooperating to fulfill something higher—forgetting themselves in the production of authentic goodness.

My Route to Enlightenment

However, in the present and, especially, in the West, society lacks this socio-historical structure for supporting those who choose the Buddhist path. Furthermore, even in Japan, those who ‘select’ the Buddhist path are born as sons or daughters of temples or cater to rich and powerful patrons to ensure their success. Although their hearts are true and their religious practice pure, I have selected a different route. I want to be made a monk by my fellow human beings—people like you. I am going to beg in hopes that you will help me attain enlightenment.

My Plea

This brings me to the project that I have established here. I am going to enter Taisho University, an inter-sectarian Buddhist university in September of 2009, and begin the training that will make me the first American in history to become a fully-ordained monk in the Buzan lineage of Shingon Buddhism. I have lived and studied in Japan for the past four years and I possess complete Japanese fluency and literacy. Furthermore, through the completion of my master’s degree at the University of Hawaii, I possess extensive knowledge of both religion in general and Buddhism in particular. My preparation is complete. However, because of the high cost of attending a Buddhist university, such as Taisho University, I cannot do this alone and, because I believe that I can become a true Buddhist monk with the support of good people with good hearts, I ask humbly for your help. Please help sponsor my education and my practice. Anything you can contribute will be appreciated more than you know and I am sure you will be rewarded not only by the feeling of contributing to something special and pure but, also, in your life.

Realization Through a Webpage

Even the creation of this webpage has served as an important form of Buddhist practice—a practice of no-self. I have admitted that I am a human being with limitations to the entire world and my individual abilities and talents, no matter how great, cannot provide for my enlightenment. However, I believe in the goodness of humans and the teachings of the Buddhas. I believed you will assist me in discovering the heart of Buddhism and meaning of religious practice and, in turn, I hope to share this discovery with you here and with the entire world any way that I can.

Thank you again and I will keep you in my prayers.

Gasshō (合掌)

Jōji (盛慈)