It was scheduled to be posted in December 2021, but the “Saitama version” of this project was not published. Only 3 photos can be posted on this BLOG, so I will narrow it down. I chose something that seems to be “Saitama” that I couldn’t post in the 2021 video series 1-3. Posted themes are four. There are photos taken before 2020, and also in 2022. Only the list of posted articles is as below.
1. Hot spring (Chichibu area) https://www.chichibu-cci.or.jp/guide/chi-e_s.pdf
2. Two of the three (Hanawa Hokiichi ”Blined scholar”/Ginko Ogino ”Female doctor for wemen”) and Eiichi Shibusawa “Father of capitalism” are the great persons not only in Japan but also in the world. (Scheduled to be interviewed again at a later date)
3. Kaikiin as National Treasure Temple and Taiwan’s Palace are also a tourist spot.
4. Aizome Kobo (Musashi Nakajima Konya) Indigo dyeing workshop named Musashi Nakajima Konya Indigo dyeing method from indigo plant originated from India.
Self-introduction of Suchitoo: Born in Tokyo. I graduated from Chuo University, worked for an airline company, and was a guest professor at Tokyo College of Transport Studies.
Became a priest of Wat Pak Nam, Thailand, acquired Japanese Buddhist qualification at Ritsho University, established Japan-Thai Culture Exchange Center and Nichiren sect Thai Temple in Thailand (currently: Nichiren Sect Hoshinji Master, Japan Health Taikyokuken Association Master), and I set up the WAT JAPAN private temple in Chiang-Rai, Thailand in 2013*.
My hobbies are posting articles on social media, and music, travel, food connoisseur, photography, biking, gardening, visiting hot springs, etc.
@Wat Japan and its chapel to the right
Suchitoo opened the Japanese version of “Suchitoo’s Soliloquy” ** blog in 2004, and I’ve been for the next 18 years, mainly introduced Thai Buddhism, and responded to posts about meditation and tourism, as well as questions and consultations. The articles in the Japanese version of the blog have been said to be wonderful and useful, so I wanted people all over the world to read them, so I decided to open an English version of the blog site.
Because of that, I first picked up 2-3 articles from the Japanese version of the blog, translated it into English, and posted it on the newly constructed blog site *** to see what would happen. When I tried it, there was good feedback that we could understand it because it was in English, the content of the article was very good, I wanted you to include a lot of explanatory photos, and I was interested in Japanese culture so I would like you to share with us such kind of information. So that I was convinced that I should continue do it.
Therefore, as the next step, I increased the types of articles to be selected, selected multiple articles from the Japanese version of “Suchitoo’s Top 10 Most Popular”, and translated them into English so that I could continue to see reactions from visitors for a while.
Then, I posted 19 articles and received 145 comments, but most of them are compliments. We apologize for the delay in replying to those who commented.
Let me introduce some comments for my articles as below. ・This is the first great blog, I’ve been searching around for. ・The article is great from a blogger’s point of view, thanks for your efforts. Please continue forever. ・ Each article is really wonderful and very useful information. Thank you for sharing such information. ・ I’m working on an e-book, but please consider sharing some of the articles. ・ If there is a donation button, I would like to donate. Should have a button. ・This really responded to my (human) shortcomings, thank you!
Almost half a year has passed since the English version of the blog was opened, but since we are receiving great praise from foreigners like this, it is important to continue posting so that everyone will be pleased regardless of genre. I believe it does.
As you praise, “The first blog I’ve been searching around for,” it may become a special presence in the blogosphere.
With the support of everyone who has been highly evaluated as an article that can change the feelings of those who read it, notice it, and have a chance to take some action in life, I can continue to do so for a long time. I hope I can do it. Thank you for always browsing.
*Wat Japan 261moo3, Meakautomtashut, T. tashut, A. Muang, Chiang-Rai, Thailand 57100 Phone: +66-80-135-1773, Web: http://marsk.html.xdomain.jp ** All are original articles by the poster Suchitoo. *** This blog site uses a theme chose from WordPress themes.
Mother Teresa (1910-1997), a Christian evangelist of “love”, was active in helping the poor in India. We overlap her with the Buddha, who enlightened in the 5th-6th century BC and preached the teachings to many believers in India.
It travelled all over Japan, and when he saw the Mother Teresa exhibition being held, while rescue people by “love”, and the other was a Buddha who taught the philosophy of living as a human being and rescued from suffering. There are 10 other names that call the Buddha. There is a great deal of weight in “the words left behind” other than the commonalities of the word “India”.
@Thanks to Pixabay.com providing me above image for free. There is no attribution required.
Please let me introduce you that three big words, Living, Goodness, Death as below.
1. The words of the Buddha (Sutta Nipata): “A person does not become humble by birth but does not become a Brahmin by birth. By daily actions he becomes a humble, and by daily actions he becomes a Brahmin”.
・Don’t ask your birth, ask your actions. (a short word with the same meaning as above)
Mother Teresa’s words: The greatest misery of the world is not poverty or illness. It’s about feeling that you aren’t needed by anyone.
2．Buddha, Rokanitei* words: Good people’s fortunes are as good for people as well water. No matter how much the bad people’s goods are piled up, they are not as useful as seawater**.
・Hurry up to do good. If you are slow to do good, your heart will enjoy evil.
Mother Teresa’s words: The important thing is not how much you have done, but how much you put your heart into it.
3. The Buddha’s words: The teachings I preached and the commandments I controlled will be your teachers after my death. Ask questions about the Buddha, the law, the collection, the way, and the practice so that you will not regret it after I’m gone.
[The last word of the Buddha]
Mother Teresa’s words: Death is not a sad thing. The only thing we should be saddened is the fact that we are not holy.
@The teachings of Shaka (The Buddha) are from oral traditions to sutras, and since about 1000 years after entering Nirvana (Eden), evangelism by the “law” has expanded. The amount is enormous. In Christianity, it is the “Bible”.
Mother Teresa’s words are the words and teachings of the founder Christ, which are derived from faith and practical activities. Mother Teresa is a modern mirror (practice rather than theory, theory and practice), which should not be compared in the same line.
@The photo shows the Buddha statue of JED YOD, a large temple in Chiang-Rai.
* The precept for one`s life (Rokanitei) is described as a bible for Burma people. **In Indian Buddhism, well water was regarded as important in daily life, and seawater was not regarded as important because it cannot be drunk on a daily basis. (Buddhist term) The infinite suffering of every sensitive being is called the sea.
Suddenly my left knee joint hurt. I left it for about a month, saying, I think I missed the exercise. I went to see the orthopaedic surgeon who was once taken care of the treatment of my low back pain (herniated disc). Doctor took an X-ray, checked it, and was diagnosed with “Gonarthrosis” (knee arthritis). After receiving a poultice and Voltaren gel 1%, I went back to Thailand for “Buddhist training” on the next day. A few weeks after my arrival, I was able to live a comfortable life, so I decided to go to a hot spring and a Massage shop.
There was information that the first store I went to had a shortage of female masseur, so I was told that I would have to wait, so I went to another Marie massage clinic, although it was a little expensive. I especially asked her to “knead the affected area lightly”. I went back a few days later because it made my life more comfortable, and the owner, Marie, gave me a Thai traditional massage and a hot compress (herbal ball compress). I like this clinic so I would like to introduce it to everyone. She also wanted to spread it in Japan.
・I am using a Looper cup (Term Simon Paitai). If you buy it, it costs 60 Baht (about 200 yen). ・ Warm this ball (Looper cup) with steam and apply it to the affected area to relieve pain. *see photo ・ One can be used 4 to 5 times. *Store it in a refrigerator after each use. ・ Service charge starts from 300 Baht (about 1000 yen) per hour. When combined with Thai traditional massage, it will be a special discount rate of 500 Baht for 2 hours. ・ If possible, continue treatment about 3 times. *There are individual differences.
*Herbal balls are warm up in an electronics, rice cooker (Left), and with Nitori (Right)
* In Japan, when I had low back pain, I practiced and experimented with electrical treatment, acupuncture treatment, manipulation treatment, tai chi and rock bath. I also recommend a Thai herbal compress (method).
＠Digression： A: There are quite a few people who treat illnesses and recover their health in tropical Thailand. Especially between December and March, it is the best to “hibernate”.
B: In the past, I introduced the herbal bath in Chiang-Mai in the Japanese version of BLOG (2009.09.28). The materials and therapeutic effects are almost the same as the hot compression method, but the treatment is performed while lying down on the bed wearing thin clothes. You can also do it yourself (I was pleased with the electric kettle made by Nitori, which was purchased in Japan (see photo to the right).
C: The Nuat Marie store is located along National Highway No. 1 near Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang-Rai Province, northern Thailand. We also present Japanese Massage service charge menu, Japanese phrase book and Japanese CD. (Phone: Thailand+66-85-1074391)
The difference between a lotus and a water lily is basically whether it blooms on the surface of the water or has a long stem and a flower bloom along the stem. In Buddhism and lotus, it can be said that the fact that there are many lotus seats on the pedestal of the Buddha statue is a symbolic flower of the “purity” and “praise of Buddha” of Buddha’s teachings.
However, in Myanmar, we find turtles, birds, and animals like pedestals.
If the Buddha’s belongings are lotus, it will be the statue of sacred Kannon.
In Thailand, these are commonly sold in the flower market, and the lotus is often used in Buddhist events (for example, priesthood ceremonies). Many people also eat lotus seeds.
Lotus blooms beautiful flowers, even in dirty water, so it is often found in ponds and reservoirs in tropical regions such as India. And it is a teaching that connects the beautiful flowers (flowers) and the fruit with a pure heart.
The “Lotus Sutra,” which is said to be the most victorious sutra among the five o’clock religions taught by Shaka, is translated as “Saddalma Bundalika Sutra = Lotus Sutra.”
There are many kinds of lotus in the world. In Japan, the ancient lotus village in Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture is famous. The best time to see is from late June to early July. Mochiran Mainly pinks ancient lotus (Gyoda lotus) from 1400 to 3000 years ago, but there is also colorful lotus from China and the United States.
*Lotus blossom bud, and ancient lotus to the right.
@ I saw the Oonibasu (victoria amazonica), a “lotus” on which a human can ride, in a rural area of Chiang-Rai, Thailand. Please see the picture below.
*Oonibasu (victoria amazonica) in Chiang-rai, Thailand
It can be said that the “Buddha statue” is the object of worship (the form that expresses the figure of the Buddha) that respects Buddha who has gained “enlightenment” as the object of worship. In Theravada Buddhist country (Thailand) and Mahayana Buddhist country (Japan), the objects that appear in the original scriptures are Buddhist statues and stupas.
This article gives an overview of the differences between Thai and Japanese Buddha statues. In Thai it is called Probate Loop, and in English it is called Image of Buddha.
*Wat Pak Num (Zen Dhyana Mudra)*Wat DHAMMAKAYA (abhayamudra and Yogan-in)*Sakyamuni (sage of the Sakyas) in my home and Moji Mandra (character Mandala) of Nichiren sect of Japan
Shaka Nyorai statues are common in Thailand, but there are also Kannon Bodhisattva statues. In Japan, there are the Amida Nyorai statue of the Jodo sect and the Dainichi Nyorai statue of the Shingon sect. In the Zen sect, the statue of Shaka Nyorai is the principal image, and there is also a mandala of the Nichiren sect.
Nyorai → Bodhisattva → Myo → Tenbe and the statue of the grand master (founder) are also included. (Left to right, higher rank)
The color and shape are generally gold colored (gold) sitting or standing in Thailand. In Japan, sitting statues are mainly made of the ground color of the material rather than gold. There are also eleven-faced Kannon and horse-headed Kannon with different faces, and there is also Senju Kannon with plenty of hands. There is also a statue with one leg upright
In Thailand, there are many seals* (traditional seals) such as legal seals “Hokkaijo-in” (zen seals), abhayamudra (a symbolic gesture of fearlessness, protection and peace), Yogan-in (wish-granting mudra), and Sokuchi-in (Earth-Touching Mudra)
In addition, there are various shapes of hands in actual meditation (Zen Dhyāna Mudrā). The statue of Amida Nyorai in Japan is generally a combination of nine types of seals.
In Thailand, there is a Wat Traimit Golden Buddha with a purity of 60%, but when installing it outside, it is mostly made of stone (concrete), and indoors it is mostly made of gold and copper. In Japan, the Todaiji Temple and the Great Buddha of Kamakura are mostly made of gold and copper. Some statues are made of wood, dry lacquer, or clay.
In Thailand, the life of a monk is enough with “one garment, one bowl” (deemed as the minimum required clothes and eating utensil), so he doesn’t have anything to bring. In Japan, as represented by the statue of Yakushi Nyorai, there are many Buddhists implements that you can hold in your hand or use for events. There are also “armpit samurai” pairs.
*The shape that the Buddha image represents with the fingers of both hands is called a symbolic sign. The hands of the Buddha statue have meaning in all its shapes.
A typical form is the Buddhist meditation (Zen meditation), which represents the state of stabilizing the mind and entering into meditation. The shape of Shaka (Nyorai) has forms such as preaching, wishes and exorcism, and mitigate of awe.
Of the nine prefectures in northern Thailand, Chiang-Rai has the famous Golden Triangle. Chiang-Mai prefecture is the second largest city in Thailand, and as the name suggests, it was the last new city (Chiang-Mai) during the Lanna Thai dynasty.
If you compare these two prefectures to Japan, the difference between Kyoto (Chiang -Mai) and Nagano (Chiang-Rai) lies in the climate and personality. What the two prefectures have in common is the landlocked prefecture that borders Myanmar, which are probably the Mecca of Japanese long stay visitors (especially about 4,000 in Chiang-Mai and about 400 in Chiang-Rai).
*Chiang-Mai railway station
In particular, quite a number of women from around Chiang-Rai went to work in various parts of Japan when they were in the Dust Bowl days, became close Japanese men and got married, returned to their hometowns, and lived with husbands.
Chiang-Rai and Chiang-Mai is often mistaken for “Chennai” in India. When I booked a flight ticket to Chiang-Rai in Japan, but I almost made a mistake for Chennai India.
Chiang-Rai Prefecture has many historical heritage sites during the Chiang-Rai Dynasty (the founding was King Mengrai). The two prefectures are sandwiched between steep mountains and are more than 200 kilometers apart. Roads are widening now, and railroads from Bangkok are being considered in the future. Chiang-Rai, the northernmost part of Thailand, is a prefecture that has the momentum and competitiveness to catch up with and overtake that Chiang-Mai.
*This hot spring is located near Meten in a suburb of Chiang-Mai. Volunteers from the Japanese Association of Chiang-Mai are responsible for the maintenance of the hot springs.
＠In Mae-Sai, the border town between Chiang-Rai and Myanmar, the validity of VISA for land routes has been changed from 15 days to 30 days from November 2013 when entering Thailand.
@VISA conditions change from time to time in Thailand under the military government. VISA extension for land route is currently restricted to twice a year (visa free entry: 30 days * 2).
*The border checkpoint at Mae–Sai
@The missing case of 12 soccer boys and 1 coach in Tham Luang (King’s Cave: [Tam = Cave, Luang = King’s]) on the outskirts of Chiang-Rai prefecture is the first resolved safely in nine days. (July 2, 2018) There was quite a lot of access to this BLOG (post) as well. There are many caves in the towering mountains along National Highway 1. It is often a cave temple*.
It is a cool and quiet space where you can meditate. I presume that the reason why the children entered the cave was just for fun. Please note that there is a lot of rain in Thailand (flash floods).
Having an interest in such local information in Japan might be only if it includes information on incident or accident.
＊A meditation temple on the mountain of WAT JAPAN (Japanese Temple of Thailand), there is also a cave meditation ground in the Anakaric temple in the Tham Patong Village.
There are always fights with water (flash floods), wild mice, scorpions, ants, mosquitoes, etc. I hope you know about a life like this.
*This was an application photo for the “Winter scenery you found”
Living in Thailand’s burning land makes me want to feel like watching the snow. Hokkaido seems to be the first candidate zone for foreigners who live in countries are located south from Taiwan where there is no snow. This year, I was back in Japan in early March. When I said, “I was there to escape the bitter cold,” I was often considered an odd individual.
Karuizawa, which was developed by a foreigner, is well known as “summer cottage area”. It is well known that wealthy people like entertainers go to Hawaii to spend the winter.
Recently, it has been popular among Australians for the good snow quality in Hokkaido. It is the opposite season in the land behind Japan, and in winter Hokkaido, summer escape type foreign villages such as skiing seems to be appearing.
I am a visitor of Hokkaido who will enjoy hot springs and local famous food. In the past, I only enjoyed the snow, and sometimes I enjoyed delicious fish, ramen and beer on a one-day tour.
At the beginning of March this year, I enjoyed staying overnight at Lake Shikotsuko. The domestic flight to Chitose was nearly empty. And there were only 6 guests at the hotel due to the corona situation. There were individual guests, apart from a couple. It was popular as a hot spring for beautiful skin, so I was pleased even if I was wrong. I was able to enjoy the same slow and casual feeling that I had in Thailand.
Birds can be seen flying from the large windows of the cafeteria. Binoculars are also provided. You can also see the names of the birds. There was a thought out to enjoy in such a winter.
I couldn’t make it to the shore of the Lake Shikotsuko because of the snow. But I enjoyed a walk on the road to the national highway where the snow had been removed.
*The photo to the left shows taking the tonsure the early days of entering Buddha priest, and priests are going about asking for alms to the right photo. You can find some other interesting photos from the URL below. http://marsk.html.xdomain.jp/pics/wat_tashut.htm
Why not study Theravada Buddhism in Thailand, Buddhism’s homeland, and challenge yourself to improve your personality and knowledge!
Experience and study (training) for men over 20 years old are the goal of one panther (basically 3 months [90 days]).
However, it is possible to have a Thai priesthood even for a week. You may be worried about it, but please collect essays and other stories from experienced people and information about it.
1. The advice of a Thai guarantor (guardian) or an experienced person is important for the processes leading up to the priesthood.
2. Memorization is ideal, but caution is necessary, for the priestly formula (to kudo [priesthood]) is confirmed by a question-and-answer session in Thai (Pali-language).
3. Compliance with the 227 precepts and sutras in Thai textbooks will be achieved through everyday efforts and dedication.
4. With physical strength, energy, adaptability, and receptivity, living in hot climate, Thai foods, and wearing a yellow priest’s robe will be “getting used”. (The problem disappears once you get used to it).
5. Training points differ depending on such individual temples policy of large-scale, local, academic, meditation, others and priests. (pre-selection required)
6. The required money may be 20,000 to 50,000 yen when entering the priesthood, and after that there is a certain income from donations.
7. You will have free time except for the morning and evening chanting and alms (Bodhisattva) practices, academic time and work such as Buddhist studies.
＠If you have any questions on the above mentioned, please feel free to contact me through the comment section.
*Photo is the Takasaki Kannon at Jigenin Temple Takasaki.
When you are on the JR Takasaki line or on the national route No. 17, you may see a large statue of Kannon (the Goddess of Mercy) in the distance. One day I wanted to go to the place of the statue once. On the way back from Kusatsu Onsen (a famous hot spring), I usually take the Kan-Etsu Expressway, but this time I thought that’s not interesting, so I took a local street instead. Meanwhile, I found the statue on the way, so I stopped by.
It is worth noting that although it was Saturday, there were few worshippers and some souvenir shops and restaurants in Monzen-machi (a temple town) were closed.
This is a branch temple of the Shingon Buddhist temple (Jigenin) and a tourist temple that brings out the happiness of this world (Kannon is the goddess of marriage and love).
Among the 20 Kannon statues, there are Buddhist Bodhisattva and Myojin (god), and Buddha and Saint (Kukai, Nichiren) statues, and there are many Bodhisattva statues who believe in the Shingon sect, but for some reason other denominations. There was a statue of Nichiren, but there was not a famous statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaisajyaguru).
The correct name is “Byakue Kannon”(Pandora vasini). Currently, the statue is not the most highest (now, “Ushiku Daibutsu” is the highest in Japan with a height of 120 meters, and there are many Kannon statues in Hokkaido, Sendai prefecture, etc.). And so on. It was a day when I felt “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Since I did worship, I was able to return home safely. After putting the car in the parking lot at home, I enjoyed drinking very much.
＠Byakuikannon is said to be pandara vasini in Sanskrit.
In Japan and China, the Kannon Bodhisattva is said one of the 33 Kannons. Also, it is known as Daibyakue Kannon, Byakue Kannon, Byaksho, Byakue and Pandora.
In the esoteric Buddhism (Garbhadhatu Mandala), it also appears in the lotus division under the name of the Bodhisattva Shirodokoro. And it is said to have been worshiped in India for a long time.
After being incorporated into Buddhism, she became the princess of Amida Nyorai, and after being revered as the mother of the Goddess of Mercy, she became worshiped as one of the transformations of the Goddess of Mercy.
The figures can be divided into two forms: those drawn on a mandala and those of standing statues such as Takasaki Kannon, which are commonly seen today. The white robe Kannon image depicted in Japan’s “Garbhadhatu Mandala” is a two-armed statue sitting on the lotus position, with a Varada Mudra on the right hand and a Lotus Flower on the left.
*Photo shows the person in the lower left is a lay follower in white stole. The Japanese Mandara roll is hanging from the wall in the alcove.
The form of the statue that is commonly seen today is said to have been established in China, with one face and two arms, wearing a white cloth from the head and wearing a white robe. The white robe is not the Buddhist stole or the clerical garment worn by the monk, but the white robe worn by the lay followers.
＠Takasaki Byakuedaikannon （pandara vasini in Sanskrit）is a statue of Byakuedaikannon setup in the Takasaki Kannon Mountain Hills in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture.
It is located on the summit of Mt. Kannon at an altitude of 190 m (in the precincts of Koyasan mountain Shingon jigen’in), and from the top floor (the position of the shoulder of the Kannon statue), you can get a full view of the city of Takasaki, the main mountains of Gunma prefecture, and even Yatsugatake Mountain. This is known as “Takasaki Kannon”.
Takasaki citizens call it “Kannon-sama”. A reinforced concrete Kannon statue built by businessman Yasusaburo Inoue in 1936, it is 41.8 meters high and weighs 5,985 tons. At the time of its construction, it was the largest statue of Kannon in the world. The interior is divided into 9 layers, and 20 Buddha statues are enshrined.
*This shows a Japanese Buddhist ceremony with a memorial service to ancestors and those who died.
