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Rev.
Takeda Hakusai |
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Interview with Rev. Takeda Hakusai
Buddhist Priest
24 September 2003
Devotees gathered as early as 5:30 a.m. to witness the
auspicious beginning of the Amritavarsham50 Celebrations.
The traditional Ganapati Homa was being performed by a multi-national
team of priests trained in the ancient art of Vedic fire sacrifice.
The ceremonial flames rose up under the woven palm-leaf roof
as oblations such as flowers, ghee and grains were offered into the flames.
As the priests chanted the ancient mantras in mellifluous
tones, it seemed as if everyone had been transported back to the Vedic times.
Ages ago, India had attracted travelers from distant countries in search of the Truth. It was no different at Amritavarsham50. A group of Japanese priests sat in attendance of the homa. What did they feel looking at this ancient ritual. What did it mean to them? What brought them here?
Reverend Takeda Hakusai, representative and senior disciple
of Sakai Yuusai Dai-Ajari of Heizan Enryakuji, sat close
to the homakunda [fire pit]. With closed eyes
and prayer beads moving in his hands, he radiated serenity. "What
I am seeing here is the origin of esoteric Buddhism," he
told. "Japanese religion is similar to that of
India. What they offer into the homakunda may be different,
but the procedure we follow is similar." |
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Rev. Takeda Hakusai lighting the lamp during the
Interfaith Summit. |
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Regarding why he was attending Amritavarsham50, Rev. Hakusai, who spoke the next day at the Interfaith Summit, said
that it had a lot to do with transformation. He said that
when the Japanese interacted with other nations and cultures
in the field of economy, industry and technology, they were influenced deeply and transformed. With exposure to different
religions, he feels there will be a positive influence on
their religion as well. According to him, the Japanese need
to make an effort to know other religions. "Any person
in any country needs to have an open heart and an open mind
towards others. That is so important."
Rev. Takeda belongs to the Tendai school of Buddhism.
He said, "Like Amma teaches about harmony between man
and Nature, Tendai Buddhism also urges man to live in harmony
with Nature." He finds great similarities between Tendai
Buddhism and Hinduism. The main message of both being, "Everything
has divinity in it. God is in everyone. Whether friend or
foe, the same one God resides in all—so the need for
peace and harmony. This is very important for all to remember."
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