In Japan, in the middle of June, a celebration is held in commemoration of the birth of an enormously important cultural and spiritual figure in Japan: Kukai, also known by the title of Kobo Daishi, which means “the grand master who spread the word of esoteric Buddhism”.

Known more usually by his title than by his name, Kobo Daishi did nothing less than revolutionise the quality of Japanese society through the means of enlightenment; he was a hugely gifted calligrapher, poet, artist, engineer, inventor, linguist, and, after gaining much political influence, a great reformer, establishing many hugely-beneficial public works projects, the first public school in Japan, and the first university for commoners in Kyoto. One key achievement attributed to him is the development of the Kana, the Japanese system of writing, still in use today.

Kobo Daishi was highly eclectic in his approach to philosophy, right from his first writings blending Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism to challenge established thought and open the mind to new and diverse alternative perspectives. He also went to extreme lengths to make what he found to be one of the most inspiring ancient Buddhist scripts, Dainichi-kyo (the Mahavairocana), accessible, travelling to China to study the original Sanskrit scripts himself, and subsequently making the intuitive fruits of his deep contemplations on this sutra the basis of virtually his every action.

He also established a pilgrimage around the island of his birth, Shikoku, which encompasses 88 temples. A great many pilgrims take the journey around sections of the Ohenro pilgrimage, praying and meditating, some visit all 88 temples, and some embark upon the entire pilgrimage more than once, some even seeking to remain on the pilgrimage for the rest of their lives. Also inspired by Kobo Daishi, the islanders are incredibly supportive of the pilgrims on their journeys.

Known as the father of Japanese culture, Kobo Daishi is perhaps the best possible example of a human being whose meditations, contemplations, and intuitions bore fruit of the highest kind – cultural, moral, and spiritual advancement. Japan rightly celebrates his birth every June, in Shikoku, and in Kyoto, the ancient capital where he wielded so much enduringly positive influence.

Incidentally, another man of influence perhaps closer to home, but also from the island of Shikoku, was Kenshiro Abbe, sensei to our own Yogensha.

Kendo Nagasaki’s healing message for June contemplates the example of Kobo Daishi, an individual who demonstrated immense passion for both plumbing the depths of spirituality and then weaving the revelations thereof into his every outward action, thus transforming the world. Furthermore, Kobo Daishi ultimately wielded great influence despite initially little enthusiasm for Buddhism in general in Kyoto, let along his own esoteric “True Word” variant, but with perseverance, his ways were accepted over the established traditions – with excellent results.

Kendo would say, never underestimate the power of spirituality – the deeper you look, the more you will see, and the more empowered you will become by the power that will flow into you. It is an uplifting, rewarding, and motivating empowerment, with an astonishing momentum, an initiation into which only requires a slackening of the grip on the black-and-white rationalism that we learn from birth in the West. There are other worlds of spiritual empowerment just a thought away – let that thought be: show me, Kendo.