Yesterday morning we were taken out of business-as-usual at Dechen Chöling, into the timeless realm of a Shinto Ceremony, organized by Kyudo (Japanese archery) practitioners who have been involved in this contemplative practice at Dechen Chöling for many years. Staff, friends, neighbours and visitors were all invited and took part in the ceremony.
To celebrate Kyudo’s 20th anniversary at Dechen Chöling, Kanjuro Shibata XXI planned a special ceremony performed by the Japanese Shinto priest Shinji Kamimura and by Sensei himself. The Shimbokusai is a traditional purification ceremony and awakes positive energy. It took place at the kami tree.
Twenty years ago, Kanjuro Shibata Sensei XX, the current Shibata Sensei’s father, recognised a large tulip tree in the embrace of two mature lindens outside the chateau as a Kami tree. Kami is the Shinto equivalent to the Shambhala and Tibetan term Drala. Kami are sacred spirits which can inhabit natural phenomena such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers. At Dechen Chöling, the Kami lives in the tree and acts as a protector for this place and the surrounding area.
Each year Kanjuro Shibata XX and now his son, Kanjuro Shibata XXI lead a ceremony of purifying the four directions. This year being a significant anniversary, a stone shrine has been placed near the tree, and a Shinto priest came especially from Japan to officiate in the ceremony. He chanted, drummed and played flute, as well as performing blessing activities such as shaking a paper rattle in the direction of the sacred yumi (bows).
After the purification ceremony, Sensei carried out a ceremonial shot, including a long shot of a whistling ya (arrow).
Then a shot of sake to consecrate and celebrate the event. Kampai!