Shingon Buddhists believe that copying a sutra can heal the mind and body, and bring blessings to the person writing and those around him. Copying a sutra is called shakyo, and considered a virtuous task. Temples throughout Japan provide the opportunity to do shakyo, usually in a quiet room for meditation and concentration.
Hanya Shingyo sutra
You can copy the text, but many use a translucent piece of paper placed over the sutra so it can be traced as exactly as possible.
Visitors to Koya-san have the opportunity to try by copying the Hanya Shingyo sutra (the Heart Sutra), one of the most important mantras in Shingon. The resulting text, which takes about 30 minutes to copy, can be a special memento of your visit.Those interested in trying shakyo should contact the Daishi Kyokai Center, a building erected in 1929 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of Kobo Daishi.
Daishi Kyokai Center (photo: TripAdvisor)
In the Ritual hall of Daishi Kyokai, Buddhist masters give the “Ten Good Precepts (JU ZEN KAI)” in a traditional manner in a ritual hall. When your name is called, bow and receive a charm as a token of having received the precepts. It takes about 30 minutes and runs on the hour seven times per day costing 500 yen.
The JU-ZEN-KAI Precepts:
1. Fusessho: Do not kill and hurt any sentient beings
2. Fuchuto: Do not steal anything public or that belongs to someone
3. Fujain: Do not commit adultery
4. Fumogo: Do not tell a lie
5. Fukigo: Do not pay lip service to others
6. Fuakku: Do not speak ill of theirs
7. Furyozetsu: Do not speak with a double tongue nor lose trust
8. Fukendon: Do not be greedy
9. Fushinnin: Do not be furious
10. Fujaken: Do not be wicked
The Daishi Kyoka Center is next to the Reihoken-mae bus stop.
Another popular place to try shakyo is Hase-dera in Kamakura. There are choices in which sutra to copy, and each one costs 1000 yen. The hours are 9 am to 3 pm.
