Essays From The Master

In the esoteric sphere of Komuso Nin Do we often speak of the number 9 as being supreme in symbolism as the circle or sphere and the center and in the nine levels of power in meditation or the nine cuts. It is little spoken of but true that there is a tenth cut which “casts” the power called forth or releases the power called on; this tenth or hidden cut is sometimes called the Jumon cut. The Jumon cut is a gesture thrusting through the grid of power called on by the nine cuts or mudra breaking up the web of power setting the programmed effect in motion. In Shugendo there are thought to be ten states of being and initiation into each of them is the rite of passage into the ranks of the Shugenja. There are ten main aspects that compose the cosmogram known as the Black Lotus Mandala which makes sense given the spiritual roots of the ninja among the adepts of Shugendo. The ninja of the Komuso Ryu is in part a Mahozukai or Miko, a male or a female sorcerer which given what has been said so far can be read as a self initiated Shugenja rather than one linked to any orthodox sect. This makes the Black Lotus Mandala a ritual space or temple much like the Magick Circle in western occultism, an invisible temple because it must be created to exist. The invisible temple is used in memory of the lost Futaiken temple in Japan.

The tenth mudra or cut is meant to represent action setting the forces of the nine elements in motion along the lines that one’s will as programmed. Jumon, also known as Shingon, is meant to activate the cycle of thought, will and result which relate to the three circles of the Black Lotus Mandala of defense, offense and awareness from the inside outward. Shingon means “true words” meaning that the effect of the Kuji Kiri is a true expression of the spirit of the one that set it in motion. The ten states of being in the Komuso Ryu are shown in the nine elements of nature being aspects of the Kokoro and the nine elements of the self combined as one whole in full control of its power making the understanding of Jumon or Shingon as true words logical i.e. a true expression without pretense of any kind. It is of note that in the form of Buddhism linked to Shingon one finds one of the inner symbols is the moon i.e. the main symbol of the Komuso Ryu and one of the inner secrets of the same tradition is Saiminjitsu or “the three secrets” which the Komuso Ryu adepts know as the Way of the Mind Gate or hypnotism.

The Black Lotus Mandala is both the gate to and a diagram of the hidden temple of the Komuso Ryu which any initiate of the school has access to and it shows that the path of the Silent Way is truly in the hands of those that use it. The Black Lotus Mandala shows the ten states of being and the unity of thought, will and result or conception, preparation and action. In performing the mudra of the Kuji Kiri the Komuso initiate is seeding reality with his chosen outcome so that no matter what happens the initiate having set his will is able to simply adapt rather than having to stop because of circumstances. Saiminjitsu is also translated by some as thought, word and deed showing how that with time the mudra are done away with and the gate of the moon truly opens, the gate of the moon being the third eye known in the Komuso Ryu as the Kagejin Me with the temple actually being the structure of the individual. This is why the adept state in Komuso Nin Do is known as Getsumi No Michi or “the moonlit path” as in that state the will alone sets all things in motion, the wake of which is like the tide synced with the moon.