That's just diamond

[RichD]

This is more a question for the Buddhists out there really.

A few days ago I stumbled across a reference to somewhere called Kongokai which apparently means the Diamond Realm. I have been able to find very little about what this realm actually is and was wondering whether someone could (a) shed some light on its meaning, and (b) tell me whether the use of the word Kongo in this context is merely coincidental, or perhaps in some way connected to Kaiso's selection of the term Kongo Zen.

Thanks.

[David Dunn]

Hi Rich,
the naming 'kongo zen' is a bit different. 'Kongo' means something like 'indestructible'. We've discussed this before here, which followed from some comments here .

Kaiso's reason for the naming of Kongo Zen is given on the bottom of page 2 of Fukudoku Hon, without too much detail. More is on the WSKO and Swedish Federation sites.

[Charles Hammond]

The Kongo-kai is the name of one of the two mandalas used in Shingon Buddhism. Literarally it is the "Diamond Mandala",not a place that Shingon practitioners expect to visit but a graphical representation of the Sarvatathagatatattvasamgraha or Tattvasamgraha ("Symposium of Truth of All the Buddhas") sutra. It is partnered by the Taizo-kai (Womb Mandala of Great Compassion - based on the Mahavairocana sutra) and the practitioner, by meditating correctly on these mandalas (which are believed to contain all the power of the cosmos), is able to draw closer to reliasation of their true Buddha Nature and realise the unity of the universe that lies beyond its apparent diversity.

The "Diamond Mandala" shows the Buddha Mahavairocana (this is Shingon's transcendent Buddha - the Cosmic Buddha not the physical manifestation known as the Tathagata) sitting on a white lotus deep in meditation surrounded by the buddhas of the four regions. This symbolises Mahavairocana's indestructible, immutable, or potential aspect. The Taizo-kai shows Mahavairocana sitting on a red lotus surrounded by innumerable buddhas, bodhisattvas, and Indian gods, with consorts. This represents the Cosmic Buddha's dynamic manifestation in which he is found in everything.

The use of these two mandalas springs from the belief that the doctrines of Shingon are so mysterious that their meanings can only be conveyed through art.

The term "kongo" (sanskrit "vajra"), although it means "diamond" (or "lightning"), is usually taken in Buddhism to represent indestructible wisdom. The analogy is fairly obvious but two-fold: wisdom like diamond is both indestructible but also capable of cutting through anything.

I can't claim to know with certainty but I suspect the only relationship between Kongo Zen and Kongo-kai is that of the reference to "indestuctible wisdom".

Hope that helps

Further to that, the old regional chronicle Izumo fudoki traces a connection between the etymology of 'kongo' and the famous 'onsen' or hot springs to be found all over Japan, where it is thought the first diamonds were discovered on the Japanese mainland. This clearly influenced Kaiso's thinking, as the merging of these two concepts is realized in the ultimate aspiration of the Shorinji Kempo practitioner, viz., to become a 'kongo onsen' or 'diamond geyser'.

[David Dunn]

Adam you're already one of norf london's finest di'mond geezers.

[Tripitaka of AA]

Originally posted by Plechazunga
Further to that, the old regional chronicle Izumo fudoki traces a connection between the etymology of 'kongo' and the famous 'onsen' or hot springs to be found all over Japan, where it is thought the first diamonds were discovered on the Japanese mainland. This clearly influenced Kaiso's thinking, as the merging of these two concepts is realized in the ultimate aspiration of the Shorinji Kempo practitioner, viz., to become a 'kongo onsen' or 'diamond geyser'.

I can only think that Dr Johnson met one of my ancestors when he first defined the word "gullible". I fell for that one Hook, Line and Sinker (but please have a little pity on the non-English speakers out there who may already be scribbling this new definition in their notebooks).

Originally posted by David Dunn
Adam you're already one of norf london's finest di'mond geezers.

Shorinji Kenshi are diamonds; we all have many facets, and some of us are real gems...

Originally posted by Kimpatsu
Shorinji Kenshi are diamonds; we all have many facets, and some of us are real gems...

Right. And a correctly execute shuto giri has been known to cut glass; and if you achieve enlightenment you live in the eternal present, in other words you 'are forever'; plus if you can protect the missus you are technically 'a girl's best friend'. The list is endless.

Originally posted by Dave Dunn
Adam you're already one of norf london's finest di'mond geezers.

Loikwoise me aul china.

And we'll 'ave the Sahf London cnuts at OT.