Questions about Master/Disciple relationship in Shingon

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DrLang
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Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2013 2:06 pm

Questions about Master/Disciple relationship in Shingon

Post by DrLang »

In Japan it seems apparent that many (most?) people taking tokudo in the Koyasan lineage are from temple families. Presumably their father or mother will be their master. Yet, it would also seem that a lot of these people still go and train at the seminary. So my question is, how does the master/disciple relationship in Shingon work?

I am assuming that those who train at the seminary are undergoing the Shido Kegyo there. If that is the case, is the Ajari overseeing the Shido Kegyo not neccessarily the student's master? Or is the seminary more intended for classroom education?

Furthermore, as I understand it, an Ajari may be qualified to teach the Shido Kegyo, but not the full transmission of Ichiryu Denju. So how would the relationship between disciple and master differ from that of the relationship between teacher and student undergoing Ichiryu Denju training?
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