Not all people are tempermentally suited to start their contact with Buddhism through the Mikkyo method and because of this the British group has a general policy of encouraging newcomers to look at all forms of Buddhism. To this end we help publicise and support many other schools of Buddhism and where possible encourage in-depth studies of Buddhist Sutras and Shastras. Newcomers are recommended to develop a good understanding of basic Buddhist principles and meditation practices before embarking upon any serious study of Mikkyo methods.
Our group is not commercial and charges no set fees for its classes or courses of instruction. All and any monies required go to cover the basic costs alone. Free-will donations are of course welcomed and are often much needed. None of our teachers is permitted to be paid for teaching or giving of their time and knowledge.
The present senior teacher within Europe is the Ven M.Ui an Okinawan born teacher who was initiated by Ven Otomo, himself the direct and most important student of the Acarya Ching-Kang Tsu, the supreme head of the southern Chinese esoteric Order. There are several other teachers in various European nations including GB.
Our main British representative Rev Nagaboshi, was ordained in 1972 and has studied several other forms of Buddhist doctrine including Abhidharma and Yogacara (in both Chinese and Indian forms) as well as 4 forms of Zen. He has also practiced with Tibetan, Thai, Korean, Chinese and Japanese teachers. His students now teach in many other countries.
In 1974 he was the subject of a major and very famous BBC TV documentary upon his studies and achievements. He was the founder of the Kongoryuji Temple and the Yakushi Buddhist medical dispensary.
Recently Master M.Uyehara from Okinawa has been teaching at Norfolk and London classes. 1998 saw our annual o/s seminar (this time in Croatia) hosting Masters from Taiwan, Okinawa and Europe. It was the first time esoteric rites had ever been performed in that country.
Practically speaking the hardest task in studying the esoteric doctrine
properly is finding someone willing to take you on as a student in the
first place. Many mainland Japanese groups refuse to let Occidentals
undertake any serious study of the esoteric path and often require you to
learn the Japanese language as a pre-requisite for even the simplest
practices.
Those who do manage to enter are often restricted to the lower
ranks of pre-existent hierarchies. Such policies, although perhaps
intended to guard the teachings from misinterpretation or exploitation by
unworthy people, has restricted the spread of all the esoteric (or Mikkyo)
teachings a great deal. It is refreshingly absent in the Chinese and
Ryukyuan schools. One of our important goals of BSBA is to make available
the benefits and practicalities of the Mikkyo approach and principles to
modern life. This is not always easy to recognise and it requires great self
discipline, study and a willingness to recognise one's faults. Not all can
achieve this
Study & Practice
There are two forms of public study used in our groups. The first requires you to attend the regular meditation and study classes we organise. These often involve written work to be submitted and discussed in classes. At these classes various forms of meditation will be shown to you and you will be expected to practice them at home in your own time. From this class you may graduate to a more experienced group within which further studies and practices will be undertaken as well as residential courses and seminars.
If you are still interested, the second form of study enables you to become the direct student of a teacher. if you can get a teacher to accept you will become a member of a small group and from that point onwards all your training will be directed personally. In common with all the esoteric schools of teaching your task as a student is to establish a special relationship of understanding with your teacher and fellow students and also to practice fully what you are shown.
The interaction with your fellow students and teacher becomes a focal point of your training and it is they who will act as your initiator and guides through the various studies, ritual practices and other trainings. These can take many different forms and may include residential or other full-time seminars and courses depending upon your capacities and interests.
If you are seriously interested in our Association there is plenty of material to study from, whether at home or at our many seminars. We welcome serious students. Since 1959 the Association members have published a Journal of Studies entitled 'Flowing Star', which is the oldest and only esoteric Journal in Europe. We also distribute many free downloads, literature & goods including our popular home study course on Buddhism.
The best way to begin is by becoming a member of the BSBA and receiving its publications. You can begin many individual practices by obtaining 'Practices & Teachings of Shingon Buddhism', a text which simply and clearly outlines the many different forms of training as well as describing some important doctrinal points. This is available to members only at present. Our association is completely non commercial - we work on a 'cost only' basis as we do not believe any Buddhist group should engage in commercial endeavours. Can one sell anything without generating a desire for profit?. We believe not and such desire & grasping is a prime source of the sufferings we all experience.
The Association has private study and practice groups in Britain and Overseas.
Application forms requesting membership may be obtained from your local secretary
but we cannot guarantee acceptance of all who apply: If you are interested
you can write to the Association secretary c/o: Kongoryuji. London Road. East Dereham. Norfolk. NR19 1AS and your letter will be forwarded to the appropriate person.
Please
remember to enclose a correctly stamped S.A.E. If you live overseas 4 International postal vouchers are needed,
or a donation towards postage in Sterling currency. We regret that we cannot
respond to personal enquiries without these
This page is current for 2002+
