[Buddha-l] Query--forest tradition monks in Japan today?

[Kate Marshall]

>This is very interesting: I know "yama" means "mountain"; what does "bushi" mean. Perhaps yamabushi simply means "mountain monk". It would be interesting to know how the Dharma is transmitted through their "lineage.
Piya

"Bushi" means "warrior," though in light of Joanna's question regarding weapons, perhaps a further explanation is warranted.

Regardless of whether some sects trained with weapons or not, others did train in methods of non-violent unarmed self defence methods.  Perhaps the term came about because of those practices.

However the term may have developed from the practice of Sanchin - the Three Battles.  This doesn't refer to a fight with an external enemy but to the three internal battles of Mind, Speech, and Body.  The "weapons" used in this fight are called Sanmitsu - the Three Mysteries or Secrets (of Mind, Speech, and Body).  The traditional forms of Sanmitsu are mandala, mantra and mudra.  Perhaps monks who thought in terms of Sanchin called themselves "warriors."

Since Joanna's query, I've read up a bit on ninja.  Apparently one of the ninja's favourite disguises was to dress in the robes of a monk, though I have no idea if this is true or not.  If it is true, maybe the term "warrior" was incorrectly applied after mistaking a ninja for a monk.

As mentioned before, hopefully someone more knowledgeable on the subject will have more to say on this.

Regards
Kate

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