Lucky 13

In Shingon the thirteenth of the month is considered a "Kokuzo Day", honoring Akasagarbha Bodhisattva.  Kokuzo is figured prominently in the Taizo-kai Mandala, his assembly is located below the hall of the mantra holders.  Kokuzo is associated with space which is unhindered and holds all things.  For a really thorough explanation of the rich symbolism and meaning of Kokuzo and his assembly, please refer to Adrian Snodgrass's "The Matrix and Diamond World Mandalas in Shingon Buddhism'.

Kokuzo is also the honzon or main object of meditation in the sadhana called the Gumonji-ho.  Kukai, Shingon's founder is said to have done three complete cycles of the Gumonji-ho, which entails chanting Kokuzo's mantra one million times per cycle.  On completing his third cycle, Shingon lore holds he had a profound enlightenment experience.  Kakuban, one of Shingon's great reformers is said to have completed eight cycles of the Gumonji-ho.  Ajari Tanaka has shared this practice with us and though demanding it is very powerful even if one is not able to practice it at the level of ancient masters.

So mark your calendar and if you are inspired, chant the Kokuzo mantra today and on the thirteenth of any month.  Ajari Tanaka has said on many occasions that if you chant the Kokuzo mantra regularly you will become very clever and your power to share the Dharma will be increased.

Here are a couple of little web resource that give a bit about Kokuzo and his mantra:

http://www.shingon.org/deities/jusanbutsu/kokuzo.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%80k%C4%81%C5%9Bagarbha  

And as always, if you'd like to know more about our practice and study of Shingon, please drop us a note at mandalavermont@gmail.com.

Take care,

jim