Student recieving ritual Kanjo

Kanjo

'Kanjo' is the Japanese word representing the Sanskrit term 'Abhiseka'. This title indicates the ritual anointing with sacred water performed by a teacher to his pupil which occurs during certain ceremonies (including that of Kuden). Kanjo is rather like a baptism for it symbolises the water of a new birth, a birth into a life not content with its old patterns and sufferings, a life which is redirected towards the attainment of the understandings which enable one to overcome them.

Kanjo is a form of empowerment in both a literal and symbolical sense for it represents a pouring into a student of the powers of insight and knowledge, passed on to him by his teacher and enabling him to teach others in turn. It is an acknowledgement of the student's progress and a recognition of their capacity and intention to function in a new way.

Some types of Kanjo are given in order to prepare or protect a student during his training or for certain tasks or special studies.

The practice of Kuden and Kanjo are only found within the Mikkyo, the esoteric schools of Buddhism. Teaching through Kuden and Kanjo characterises our Shingon teaching, and reflects a distinct type of relationship in the transmission of the teachings. The teachings are not always easily understood in a group environment because often the nature of such understanding cannot be passed on in a broad situation.

Whilst many practices or rituals may be performed or shown to a group of students it is only those which have the power to cause change or transformation of one's nature which prove significant in evolutionary terms. Because such teachings need to to strike home to a student in ways that cannot be ignored they will often be couched in terms or within experiences directly relevant to a student's nature and in a manner which leaves no room for evasion or subterfuge. In order to know what is required for this it is necessary for a close understanding to develop between the student and his pupil and so most personalised teachings are only given in the one-to-one situation. Our training emphasises this and is a hallmark of our type of Shingon.