Takigyo - Meditating under a waterfall

The meditation of Japanese brings a sense of refreshment and calmness, bringing people into the nature.

Takigyo is a traditional Japanese meditation method. The meditator stands at the foot of the waterfall, praying while the stream is pouring straight on him.

The required costume is "Shiro-Shozoku", a white robe for the deceased. When the waterfall came down from above, the person standing below was in a state of tranquility, breathing steadily and praying. Depending on the water level, state of health, meditation time can last from one to 20 minutes, or longer.

Besides praying for peace and happiness in life, Takigyo meditation also has a profound meaning to help people become closer and more connected with nature . Since ancient times, Japanese people are well aware of the inseparable relationship between nature and people. Nature provides abundant food for mankind. Natural disasters, floods threaten human life also brought by nature.

The Japanese meditate under a waterfall.(Photo: Matcha-jp).

The first thing to do when you begin meditation is to lean forward, your hands touching your chest as a greeting. When coming to the waterfall basin, the meditator must kneel, use a wooden spoon to scoop water on his shoulders, saying his full name. Next to stand up, folded his hands in front of his chest, bowed three times to the center, left, right of the waterfall. Then turn your back to the waterfall, let the waterfall run down the right shoulder first, left shoulder after, to the neck, then the body.

When coming into contact with water, you should avoid falling into the top of the waterfall because it is a "grave". When meditating and praying, try to focus on keeping your breathing steady.

While meditating, the outside monks recited the mantra Hannya Shingyo (Mantra of the Heart). The person standing under the waterfall is the male, the mantra is recited 7 times, the female meditator will recite 3 times. Just reciting, the monks counted 108 beads on the wrist. In Buddhism, the number 108 represents the human disturbing 108. It is believed that these 108 afflictions will be removed at the end of the year.

Before meditation, need to warm up the body carefully, do exercises to develop abdominal muscles, get enough sleep. People with back, neck and shoulder pain, heart problems, being drunk should not take part in meditation.

Takiyo Meditation is not only popular with Japanese people, it is also experienced by many foreigners at mountain temples in Japan.

A visitor meditates under a waterfall at Izurusan Manganji Temple, Tochigi Prefecture, sharing as being energized after meditation."In the first 20 seconds, the water was very cold, I felt the drops of water pounding on me. Gradually, my spirit was at ease, my mood improved markedly. I would sign up to meditate again," this guest said.

Monk Ayabe said he used to go to the mountain to meditate at least once a month, once an hour, including winter. He said that feeling refreshed and calm after meditation would last three days to a week afterwards.