Bhimrao Ambedkar, Pioneer of the Age of Aquarius Beyond Tradition

Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar 

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I was surprised to learn that there are few Buddhists in India, the birthplace of Buddhism. In Japan, Shinto and Buddhism are both deeply rooted in Japanese culture and life to avoid conflict. Buddhism was officially introduced to Japan in the 6th century. Shintoism was originally in Japan. The majority religion in India is Hinduism. I had an intuition that it was similar to Shinto in Japan. It is the sensibility to see God in the universe.

I learned that there was a person who revived Buddhism in such India. The person is Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956).

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956) 

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956) was an Indian statesman (minister of justice in the Nehru cabinet), drafter of the Indian constitution, and leader of the anti-caste movement. Born into the lowest caste (Dalit) family, he is known for starting a Buddhist revival movement. Between 1927 and 1932, along with his followers, he promoted a non-violent movement demanding confirmation of the rights of untouchables to enter Hindu temples and use public reservoirs and wells. Tens of thousands of untouchables joined the movement as non-violent resisters. It ended in a legal victory for lower caste activists. In addition, Ambedkar, who believed that the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Law Code of Manu, was a major basis for the harsh treatment of untouchables, decided to burn the Law Code of Manu.

all gods are one
 (Narada sees viśvarūpa from wiki)

No religion is 100% correct

It can be said that no religion is 100% correct in the way it is practiced. But all the original ideas were great. Otherwise the pure believers would not have followed. 

About 30 years ago, when I was young, a young German man confessed to me that he was an atheist. To him, the confession was a gamble that might have made him question his humanity, but to me it was a natural understanding. Perhaps for many Japanese, faith meant living modestly in harmony with nature. It is far from the image of an enthusiastic believer. 

Beyond the long tradition

Even if human rights are stripped or precious lives are taken away in the name of religion, is religion still wonderful? Whether it has a long tradition or not. Humanity may have been going in the wrong direction for thousands of years. That's why I sometimes look at it from a cosmic perspective to see if I'm standing in the right position. Beyond the long tradition, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956) is great.The Age of Aquarius encourages a break with hierarchy, control, and individual freedom. It will be a good guidepost in a chaotic society.

The hallmark of Buddhist temples is the bell.
This is not in Shinto.
Japanese people are mostly familiar with both Buddhism and Shinto.

When a child is born,
the family visits a nearby shrine and greets the gods.

Statues of Nyorai and Bodhisattva
are enshrined in Japanese Buddhist temples.
During Buddhist ceremonies,
incense sticks are burned, and the bell is occasionally rung
while the sutra is chanted.

Kamidana (home shrine) is a Shinto style.
The object of worship is usually a round mirror.

Shinto shrine gate
There are various materials
such as vermilion painted wood and stone.
Bow here before entering the shrine.

Former Prime Minister Abe's State Funeral

Former Prime Minister Abe's State Funeral 

The state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who died at the age of 67 after being shot on July 8, was held on September 27. The state funeral was attended by 4,183 people from Japan and abroad. About 23,000 people lined up in long lines from morning to night at the flower offering stand set up near the state funeral site. The laying of flowers by the general public was scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. about 30 minutes earlier. The line continued for more than 6 kilometers, turning around near JR Yotsuya Station, about 2 kilometers away from the flower offering site.

Yoshihide Suga read a condolence address at the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as a "representative of friends."

Here is what he said:

It was the 8th of July.

I want you to hear the unbelievable news and save your life anyway.

I want to see you, I want to share the same air with you in the same space.

With that in mind, I headed to the site, and was able to touch your warm smile for the last moment.

Eighty days have passed since that fateful day.

From then on, the morning will come and the sun will go down.

The cicadas, which had been so loud, quieted down, and the autumn clouds began to drift in the high sky.

The seasons move forward.

Time passes without you.

I still remember something I cannot forgive about the merciless passing.

Why, of all things, did Heaven make such a tragedy a reality and take away the life of a person who should not lose it?

I'm sorry.

While feeling sorrow and anger alternately, I welcomed this day.

But Prime Minister Abe... I'm calling you, can you take a look?

Here, around the Budokan, many people have gathered to offer flowers or attend the national funeral.

It seems that there are not a few people in their 20s and 30s.

A large number of young people, who will be responsible for tomorrow, admire you and come to see you off.

Prime Minister, you want to create a Japan that will be better tomorrow than it is today.

He had a strong conviction that he wanted to give hope to young people, and he spoke to the people every day.

And Japan, Japanese people, bloom in the center of the world.

―That was your catchphrase.

The economy will grow only when the people who will lead the next generation envision a bright future.

There are so many young people who feel sorry for you.

I feel that I have been rewarded.

In 2000, the Japanese government was trying to send rice to North Korea.

I had only been elected twice as a member of the Diet. After voicing my strong opposition, this was published in the newspaper.

Then, you saw the article and called me saying "I want to meet you".

He said, "What Mr. Suga said is correct. I would be happy if you would work with us to bring back the Japanese abducted by North Korea."

Your words at that time, full of conviction and power, became the sustenance of my own political activities after that.

I was struck by his straight eyes and his determination to stick to his beliefs.

I was convinced that this man was the one who would one day become Prime Minister, and that he was the one who had to become Prime Minister.

What I am proud of throughout my life is that I have never wavered from this conviction.

Prime Minister, once your chronic illness worsened and you withdrew from the post of Prime Minister.

Feeling this as a debt, he hesitated for a long time about running for the LDP president for the second time.

In the end, the two of us went to a yakitori restaurant in Ginza, and I tried my best to persuade you.

Because I thought that was my mission.

Three hours later, he finally shook his head.

I will always be proud of this achievement as the greatest achievement of Yoshihide Suga's life.

When the Prime Minister was at the Prime Minister's official residence, I never failed to talk to him without hesitation once a day.

Even now, when I am alone, I am vividly reminded of those days.

My position was that if possible, it would be better to take time to enter the TPP negotiations.

The Prime Minister said, ``We must not lose the timing.

If you take a step back, you lose momentum.

He must have thought that only by moving forward would a way forward open up.

Prime Minister, your judgment was always correct.

Prime Minister Abe.

Thanks to you, the irreplaceable leader in history, Japan was able to enact all of the difficult bills, including the Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets, a series of legislation for peace and security, and the Revised Act on Punishment of Organized Crime.

Without any one of them, our country's security cannot be ensured.

We are eternally grateful for your faith and determination.

Break through the national crisis and create a strong Japan.

We also aspire to become a truly peaceful nation, and make Japan a country that can contribute to the world in every field.

Prime Minister, you never stopped smiling, even in the midst of these days of determination and determination.

He always cared about those around him and showered them with kindness.

Seven years and eight months spent together at the prime minister's official residence, sharing all kinds of joys and sorrows.

I was really happy

I remember not only myself, but all the staff working brightly and lively during those tough days.

Thank you again and again.

Prime Minister Abe, you were a true leader for our country.

In the House of Representatives First Members' Office Building, Room 1212, there was a book half-read on your desk.

"Aritomo Yamagata" written by Yoshitake Oka.

The last page, which I read so far, was folded.

And there was a line on that page with a marker pen.

Appropriately, the marked part was a poem written by Aritomo Yamagata in memory of his long-time ally, Hirobumi Ito, before his death.

Prime Minister, there is no other poem that expresses my thoughts as well as this one.

How do people who are exhausted to fight with each other care for the future beyond the present?

How do people who are exhausted to fight with each other care for the future beyond the present?

I feel deep sadness and loneliness.

Prime Minister, thank you very much.

Please rest in peace.

September 27, 2020 Former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga

Source: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/d44931f5e1035daab5146f331d75435a34ffff3d

Translated by google translation

 

Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) Sighting?

Is this a UFO?

"Is this a UFO?" My daughter happened to spot a black object floating in the sky in the photo.

This was taken last month in Futamigaura, one of Japan's sacred places. Thinking back on that time, my daughter and I certainly felt strange. It transcended the hustle and bustle of the mundane world. The morning sun lit up the sky and the sea. The ripples were glittering.

Indeed, when she zoomed in on the photo, she could see a slightly oblong black shadow to the upper right of the sun.

"Is this a UFO?"
My daughter happened to spot a black object
floating in the sky in the photo.

This was taken last month in Futamigaura, one of Japan's sacred places.
Thinking back on that time, my daughter and I certainly felt strange.
It transcended the hustle and bustle of the mundane world.
The morning sun lit up the sky and the sea.
The ripples were glittering.

Indeed, zooming the photo enables to see a slightly oblong black shadow
to the upper left of the sun.

Cosmic Consciousness

I used to want to see UFOs. I had completely forgotten, but I had read and re-read George Adamski's (17 April 1891 – 23 April 1965) book on contact with Venus. Without cosmic consciousness, earthlings cannot contact highly conscious Venusians. The book by Hachiro Kubota, who introduced him to Japan, will always be my treasure. Cosmic consciousness is love. Love is affection for everything, not just for yourself or those close to you. Perhaps, when we were walking in Futamigaura, we might have had a momentary cosmic consciousness.

Level of Civilization

The current level of earth civilization is quite low from the point of view of cosmic consciousness. For example, on Earth, humans fight each other on the same planet, and humans enslave non-human creatures.

Become One with Cosmic Consciousness

It's the basics that one person has free will, so you can't force other people's consciousness to change. Because only you can change your consciousness. It is about transcending the dichotomy between good and evil. You are the one who protects your soul from conflict. Align your heart center with the center of the universe, take a deep breath, and have as many images as you can throughout the day of becoming one with the cosmic consciousness.

After visiting Futamigaura, one of Japan's sacred places,
I was once again convinced that UFOs exist.
I want to reach a level of cosmic consciousness.

Conclusion

After visiting sacred places in Japan, I was once again convinced that UFOs exist. I want to reach a level of cosmic consciousness. I will make it a habit to align my center with the center of the universe and become one with the cosmic consciousness.

Ise, a sacred place for Japanese people

Japan's sacred place, Ise Jingu

Ise Jingu is a sacred place for the Japanese with a history of over 2000 years.
The buildings themselves are rebuilt every 20 years,
so the techniques and traditions are passed on.

In August 2022, I visited Ise Jingu for the first time in 24 years. Ise Jingu is a shrine located in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, with a history of over 2000 years. Since ancient times, Ise Jingu has been a sacred place for Japanese people to visit at least once in their lifetime. 

Ise Jingu is an old place, but it is new because the shrine buildings are rebuilt once every 20 years. Therefore, in preparation for construction twenty years from now, tree planting for building materials is carried out systematically, and the techniques of shrine carpenters are passed on to grandfathers, fathers, and grandchildren. At Ise Jingu, it is customary to go to the Geku first and then the Naiku.

Futamigaura, a seaside sanctuary for purification

Large and small rocks sticking together like a married couple. "Futami Okitama Shrine" is enshrined on the Futamigaura coast where "Wedded rock (Meoto-iwa)" rises. Before going to Ise Jingu, it is a formal worship since ancient times to visit Ise Jingu with a purified body and mind. 

I felt an overwhelming sacred atmosphere.
Is it also a portal to higher dimensions?

In this tour, due to scheduling conflicts, we visited the shrine after the Geku. The sun had just risen, and the sanctuary was filled with fresh air. I missed it, but my daughter found a UFO (unidentified flying object)  in the sky. I sensed that she was surrounded by a mysterious atmosphere, but it may have been connected to a higher dimension of consciousness.

Isuzu River

The Isuzu River is so transparent that
even the stones at the bottom of the river can be clearly seen.
It's deep, so when you put your hand in the river,
it's important to get on your knees so you don't fall.

The Isuzu River flows through the entrance to the Naiku. The bridge over the river can be said to be a bridge connecting the sacred world from the everyday world. A bridge is a metaphor that connects this world with the other world. If you wash your hands at the Isuzu River before worshiping, you will be able to purify yourself for the purpose of worship.

Oharaimachi/Okage Yokochou

Oharaimachi is a street that runs straight from Ise Jingu Naiku to Sarutahiko Shrine. Okage Yokocho is located in the middle of Oharaimachi. Both streets are lined with food stalls and souvenir shops. After visiting the inner shrine, it feels good to walk along this street while eating dumplings and soy milk soft serve ice cream.

At Henbaya (Japanese sweets shop),
you can buy tea sweets on the 1st floor and drink tea slowly on the 2nd floor.

The azuki bean jelly (yokan) was delicious.

Sarutahiko Shrine

If you come all the way to Ise, you should also pay a visit to Sarutahiko Shrine. The shrine enshrines the god of guidance. It seems to be a good idea to tell God about your life's resolutions. I expressed my ambition that I would like to be aware of myself as a member of the universe as an earthling.

Sarutahiko Shrine is dedicated to the god of guidance.

At the end

Japanese shrines are more majestic in the nature that surrounds them than in the buildings, and Ise Jingu is the largest. Thanks to that, I tuned the waves from big trees, rivers, and rocks.

Musashi‐mitake‐jinja shrine, mysterious area in Tokyo

Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine, mysterious area in Tokyo

There is a mysterious area that can be reached in two and a half hours by orange JR Chuo Line（from Tokyo or Shinjuku to Mitake）, bus (from Mitake to Takimoto station), and Mitake Tozan Railway（from Takimoto station to Mitakesan Station）from central Tokyo. It is Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine and its surroundings.　

 Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine is located on the summit of Mt. Mitake
with an altitude of 929m and is a symbol of mountain worship.

From Ome Station onwards,
the number of trains decreases,
and the time flows slowly.

Early in the morning on weekends, 

passengers head for Mt. Ontake using the train.

Behind the main shrine of Musashi Mitake Shrine,
there are many historic shrines.
It is a good idea to visit each one.

Stroll around Mt. Mitake

After getting off the Mitake Tozan Railway at Mitakesan Station, it takes about 30 minutes to walk to  Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine. 

The air is fresh in the early morning forest bathing. It is also good to listen to the chirping of wild birds. 

The dense fog that rolls in from the trees is very mysterious. 

There is a huge zelkova tree on the way.　It is called Mitake no Jindai Keyaki.  According to one theory, the tree is over 1000 years old.

This giant zelkova tree is considered a sacred tree.

There are many temple lodgings in the mountains in this area, so staying overnight is recommended if you want to take your time and explore the area. In addition to the shrine, there are various destinations such as Rock Garden, Ayahiro Waterfall, Nanayo Waterfall, Mitakedaira, etc. 

The vivid green and soft moss is mysterious and beautiful.

Mitake Gorge Trail

Here along Mitake Gorge Trail,
large rocks and precipices combine
with greenery and clear streams,
creating an abundance of nature.

On the way back, it is good to walk instead of using the bus.
After exiting the torii gate at the entrance of the mountain,
there is a promenade along the Mitake Valley.

There is a Mitake Gorge Trail. It takes 3 hours to walk the entire course.  The sidewalk is narrow, so be careful not to fall. 

The sidewalk is narrow, so be careful not to fall.

The valley is also a mecca for rafting (rapid rafting on rubber boats) and canoeing. Thankfully, there are toilets along the way. 

There are several toilets along the trail.
The toilets are well maintained and comfortable.

There are also cafes and restaurants along the valley where you can enjoy the scenery. I especially recommend Sawanoien. There are sake breweries, sake tasting, kaiseki cuisine (a traditional Japanese multi-course meal), cafes, and galleries, etc.

There is an entrance to Sawanoien
from Mitake Gorge Trail near Sawanoi Station.

It's easy and comfortable to buy a meal ticket for
rice balls, oden, udon, soy milk, sake, etc.
from a vending machine,
and eat at a table with a parasol
while enjoying the natural scenery.

At this garden’s café,
you can enjoy soymilk latte and soymilk cheesecake
while overlooking the clear stream.

Summary

The area around Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine is a mysterious area that is easily accessible from central Tokyo. When I go there, I feel like the unnatural time that I was used to is returned to nature. Life is not that long, so I want to spend more time enjoying the nature of the earth.

Gluten-free meal with rice

Gluten free

"Gluten-free diet" has become a hot topic in Japan as a diet practiced by professional tennis player Novak Djokovic. Gluten is an ingredient made by adding water to flour and kneading it. I heard that eating flour makes me feel tired and gains weight, so I try to avoid flour as much as possible.

Usually, it takes a lot of labor, fertilizers and pesticides
to make flour. Is it natural?

After eating a dish that uses flour, I get heavier.
Does that mean I'm full or bad for digestion?

Use rice instead of flour

Originally I love cooking with flour. Pizza, spaghetti, pies, etc. But if you use a blender to grind the rice into small pieces, you can use it like flour.

Ingenuity that does not use eggs and flour

I often make okonomiyaki with rice flour. Okonomiyaki is usually made by dissolving chopped vegetables, eggs, and flour in water and baking. But I don't use eggs for the okonomiyaki I make. Add salt when making rice flour from rice in a blender. Salt has a hardening effect. Then mix the kudzu powder. Kudzu powder is also a component of traditional cold remedies. I like cheese, so I put cheese on it and eat it with melted cheese. Rice is usually cooked and eaten, but if it is made into rice flour, it becomes like wheat flour, so it is very useful for gluten-free meals.

Gluten-free diet for my proper weight

What made me happy about continuing my gluten-free diet was that I was able to maintain my proper weight. Thanks to that, I don't have to think about weight management these days.

What if you want to eat pasta once in a while?

Last week, I ate Italian food for the first time in a long time. It's my favorite Italian restaurant. It was delicious, but I was so heavy that I had a hard time walking after eating. After about a week, I returned to my original condition. Still, I wanted to eat delicious Italian food. So, in order to maximize the happiness of my life, I decided to use rice as a basis and impose a rule on myself that I could eat flour several times a month. It's best to do everything in moderation.

I sometimes want to eat delicious Italian food.
Moderately OK.

There are various kinds of rice

Actually, there are various types of rice. I learned that light varieties of rice for natural farming are good. The Japanese began to prefer chewy rice after the war. And chewy rice requires fertilizer. It interferes with the natural activity of soil microorganisms. That's why I get light varieties of rice sent directly from the farmers. Such farmers have a deep understanding of the providence of nature. There are few such farmers, but I want them to continue. Flour may be good for the body if it is an old variety.

The types of rice are roughly divided
into light type and chewy type.

                              

Conclusion

A gluten-free diet is easier to achieve with rice. I realized that a gluten-free diet is certainly good for your health. Moreover, it helps to maintain a proper weight. But I eat delicious Italian food several times a month. This is because you can't enjoy happiness unless you do it moderately. Older varieties of rice are better. Rice varieties that require a lot of fertilizer are unnatural.

Midsummer Tokyo shrine

A shrine where people gather even on a midsummer day

On Saturday, June 25, in central Tokyo, the maximum temperature was over 40 degrees Celsius. Even so, worshipers were scattered around at Tokyo Daijingu, a shrine famous for its marriage. There were about 10 chairs with straw cushions on wooden logs in the precincts, and there was a shade on the ceiling. Furthermore, fog was sprayed from above. So people enjoyed the refreshing space. The end of June was the turnaround of the year, and there was also a set of Chinowa-kuguri to remove the evil.

For the remaining six months, I once again swore to myself that I should be honest with myself.

Fog is sprayed from above
at the outdoor resting corner of Tokyo Daijingu,
and it is refreshing even in the summer.