Given the relatively low profile of Japanese esoteric Buddhism internationally, I was surprised to learn that a contemporary teacher of secular mindfulness was once a monk at Mt. Koya. Apparently Shinzen Young trained there for three years starting in 1970, and has since studied in other Buddhist traditions. Is he well-known to practitioners of Shingon?
Young has only occasionally spoken about the kind of practice he did there, because to my knowledge he doesn't teach Vajrayāna per se. I wouldn't say he does full justice to either Shingon or Tibetan tantra in his descriptions. But we should keep in mind that his target audience is very science-oriented and skeptical of religion. Perhaps he has opened their minds to the potential of these teachings, which they might otherwise dismiss.
A secular mindfulness teacher who trained at Mt. Koya?
A secular mindfulness teacher who trained at Mt. Koya?
Neither person nor skandha
but unstained wisdom is buddha.
In its knowing, ever serene—
I go for refuge therein.
but unstained wisdom is buddha.
In its knowing, ever serene—
I go for refuge therein.