Abstract

The Great Ajari gently teaches us about the seemingly simple yet difficult "ordinary" things of everyday life.

◆The profound "essence of life" is explained in easy-to-understand language.
◆The latest book from Great Ajari Ryojun Shionuma, who speaks to us gently.
◆A must-read for mothers raising children.

This is the latest book from Great Ajari Ryojun Shionuma, who has completed the Sennichi Kaihogyo, a 1,300-day ascetic practice that only two people have accomplished in that time. He has compiled the essence of life, hidden in the "ordinary" things of everyday life that everyone learns as a child, into an easy-to-read essay format. The short sentences make it a quick read, and you can start reading from anywhere. The Great Ajari's very simple words gently convey hints for living to the hearts of modern people who are burdened with small worries and doubts. This is a book that we want a wide range of people to pick up, especially mothers raising children.

Author’s Information

Born in Miyagi Prefecture in 1968. He became a monk at Kinpusen-ji Temple on Mount Yoshino in 1987. He completed the "Sennichi Kaihogyo," a thousand-day pilgrimage walking 48 km a day along treacherous mountain paths, becoming only the second person in the past 1300 years to do so. After that, he completed the "Shimu-gyo," a nine-day fasting period during which he chanted 200,000 mantras. He also completed the "Hassenmai Daigomaku," a preliminary practice of abstaining from grains and salt for 100 days. In 2003, he founded Jigen-ji Temple in Akiu, Sendai City, where he currently serves as head priest. He shares his philosophy of "faith from the heart" both domestically and internationally.