Introduction to Tendai Buddhism Book & CD by Richard Sears

To look over this manual is to take a glimpse into a world of secret wisdom. It was written out by hand, and looks to be a reminder either for the priest himself or for his disciples. As such, it does not explain much detail, but only covers the titles, mudras, and mantras for each section of this elaborate meditation practice (known as the Juuhachido). An initiated practitioner would already know what to do. I have inserted comments of my own to clarify certain, sections, but I did not feel this was the appropriate place to try to explain all the details. Much of it is simple to show but difficult to describe in words. Let this work be an introduction to those who wish to go on to more elaborate training in the future.

The Homan Ryu is one of the three remaining schools of Tendai Mikkyo left on Mt. Hiei today. Fudo-Myo-O is the main image used in Mikkyo, representing the fierce resolution of the universe appearing just as it is. In his right hand (the hand that represents ultimate truth), he holds a sword to cut through ignorance, and in his left hand (the hand that represents relative truth) he holds a coil of rope to bind defilements.

This type of material was once secret, as it can be misunderstood without the explanations of an experienced practitioner, but as the Tibetans are doing, I have chosen to make these materials available so they won't die out. I have done my best to carefully decipher the handwritten script, cross-referencing uncertain characters with rituals and commentaries transmitted to me by my own teacher, and reproducing them here in more legible Japanese.