Fudo Myoo and the Japanese Swordsman
Fudo Myoo and the Japanese Swordsman
The unmovable Fudo, known in India as Acala or Achalanatha, one of the many manifestations of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and reincarnation, is one of the Wisdom Kings (Myoo). He is a Japanese Buddhist deity, introduced by Kooboo Daishi about 806 and soon became a special protector of the Mountain Ascetics (yamabushi) who believed that an impressive waterfall was the personification of Fudo.
Fudo is typically portrayed holding a two-edged sword with a three-pronged hilt in his right hand and a coiled rope in his left hand. With this sword of wisdom, Fudo cuts through deluded and ignorant minds and with the rope he binds those who are ruled by their violent passions and emotions. He is sometimes pictured seated or standing upon a rock to symbolize his immovability. He is also depicted surrounded by flames, the result of his entering into a flame-emitting meditation (‘kasho zammai’). This fire is a symbol of purification and destroys all karmic hindrances.
Perhaps because he is a fierce guardian who wields a sword, Fudo Myoo became a significant symbol to many famous samurai, as can be seen by the following demonstrations of their devotion.
Goro Nyudo Masamune (1265-1358), undeniably the most famous and arguably the best swordsmith in Japanese history produced a very famous tanto known as the “Fudo Masamune” because it features a horimono (engraving) of the Buddhist deity Fudo Myoo.
Takuan Soho (1573-1645), Zen Teacher to many famous samurai including Munenori Yagyu and Miyamoto Musashi, wrote the follow passage in a letter to Munenori.
“Fudo Myoo grasps a sword in his right hand and holds a rope in his left hand. He bares his teeth and his eyes flash with anger. His form stands firmly, ready to defeat the evil spirits that would obstruct the Buddhist Law. His form is made in the shape of a protector of Buddhism, while his embodiment is that of immovable wisdom. This is what is known to living things.
Seeing this form, the ordinary man becomes afraid and has no thoughts of becoming an enemy of Buddhism. The man who is close to enlightenment understands that this manifests immovable wisdom and clears away all delusion. For the man who can make dharma as well as Fudo Myoo, the evil spirits will no longer proliferate. This is the purpose of Fudo Myoo’s tidings. What is said to be Fudo Myoo is one’s unmoving mind and an unvacillating body.”
Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), author of the Go Rin No Sho (Book of Five Rings), founder of the Niten Ichi Ryu (two swords in one school) of swordsmanship, and unquestionably the most famous of all Japanese swordsmen, was also a fine artist who carved this representation of the deity.
Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888), Zen master, founder of the Muto Ryu (no-sword school) of swordsmanship and master calligrapher brushed this scroll, the kanji of which read Fudo Myoo.
I’ll never forget seeing a statue of Fudo Myoo at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. It had a definite presence that was beyond creepy, to the point of being terrifying.
The photo below from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC is similar to the one in I saw in Boston but is only 20 1/4 inches high. The one I saw was life-size.
I am drawn to Fudo Myoo because he is a protector who stands up for what he believes to be right. He is the guardian of the way and I believe that he uses his fierce continence, not to scare people into staying on the path but, as a reminder of the demons that we may fall prey to should our discipline weaken, and we stray from what we know is the right path.
Keep Training my friends. I know I intend to.
Namaste,
-Mark
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