Jakucho Setouchi

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Seishin
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Jakucho Setouchi

Post by Seishin »

Jakucho Setouchi seems to be a very inspiring Tendai nun. However, most of the information on her is in Japanese. Does anyone know much about her?
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php ... 38,0,0,1,0
http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2012/05/155932.html
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Gassho,
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Re: Jakucho Setouchi

Post by jikai »

I agree Seishin, I've found her quite inspiring myself. There isn't much on her in English. Having said that, most of the Japanese sources I've come across say very little. There is a youtube video of her from Japanese t.v. I'll try to find it and translate it for you when I get the chance.

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"止觀明靜前代未聞"
(摩訶止觀)

"此妙法蓮花經者本地甚深之奧藏也"
( 法華玄義)

"觀心者空觀是般若假觀是解脫中觀是法身"
(法華文句)
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Seishin
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Re: Jakucho Setouchi

Post by Seishin »

Thanks Jikai,

I've watched a couple of videos in Japanese but I have no idea what's being said :tongue:

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Re: Jakucho Setouchi

Post by Seishin »

More information from this inspiring woman. Sadly, it seems she has cancer.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_new ... 1510120050
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Re: Jakucho Setouchi

Post by DGA »

Seishin wrote:More information from this inspiring woman. Sadly, it seems she has cancer.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_new ... 1510120050
She raises two profound points in this article, both of them concerning the interpenetration of Buddhist practice and everyday life:
When asked about the teachings of the Tendai sect, Setouchi said: “It tells us that we should set aside our own happiness and pray for the happiness of other people. Please pray for the happiness of refugees being hosted by other countries.”

Setouchi also looked back on the days after World War II when Tendaiji was desolated and deserted. She helped revive the temple.

Referring to postwar Japan, she commented: “It was horrific because money appeared almost the only thing that mattered in life.”

She said that what is really important is what people cannot see.

“We cannot see gods and our ancestors,” she said. “It is difficult to understand people’s minds, but it is the most important thing to do as we live our own lives.”

“We should realize that we are kept alive by things we cannot see,” she added.
This will be my contemplation for today.
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Re: Jakucho Setouchi

Post by Seishin »

:twothumbsup:

I really wish her books were in English.
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Re: Jakucho Setouchi

Post by Invokingvajras »

Seishin wrote:I really wish her books were in English.
I currently have my hands on a 2000 edition of her publication "仏教塾 (Buddhism Primer)." It's an est. 260-page volume on basic Japanese Buddhism with some specifically Tendai-related material as well. If it would be of interest to anyone, I can work on some translation when I find the time.
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Re: Jakucho Setouchi

Post by User 3495 »

The only book in English I could find is "Distant Rain". Did you hear from Jiko Kohno and Chiko Komatsu? Both are also Tendai nuns, who's books were translated to western languages.
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