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In Tokyo where it's not a common sight to see monks begging for alms, one Buddhist monk - Shuei Mochizuki - has been a present daily fixture in Tokyo's luxurious Ginza District for ten years. He died on January 18th.
The website www.buddhistdoor.net reports that Mochizuki could regularly be seen standing or walking in a slow and deliberate meditative practice on the sidewalks as shoppers and visitors passed by. After beginning his practice in 2010, Mochizuki became known for his willingness to listen to the troubles of those who came to him and for his chanting of the Heart Sutra.
He was seen either standing in meditation or walking slowly in meditative steps during which time he offered loving kindness meditation for world peace along with good health and equality for all beings. He was approachable with many stopping to ask for guidance over personal life issues. As a unique and regular fixture in the area, Mochizuki became a tourist attraction explaining:
It seems some people have put pictures of me online too. Sometimes people try to take pictures of me discreetly without asking, thinking I don’t notice, but I do! [He laughs.] However, most people are being very polite and ask me if it’s okay to take my picture. I don’t mind at all. Sometimes people from South America, who are very relaxed, suddenly come to take selfies with me, putting their hand on my shoulder! [He laughs again.] It doesn’t matter if people are from Europe, or America or Japan—they all have the same questions. I used to have them too.
The street culture of Tokyo was comfortable for Mochizuki because he spent 20 years living in New York City before returning to Japan. “The most important concept that the historical Buddha has left us is that everything is impermanent. All things change or will change. We can’t deny it. So, if you’re too attached to an idea, you’re doing something that is not natural.”
After Mochizuki’s death, a makeshift memorial was created at the site where he was most often found chanting or speaking with strangers.
The website www.buddhistdoor.net reports that Mochizuki could regularly be seen standing or walking in a slow and deliberate meditative practice on the sidewalks as shoppers and visitors passed by. After beginning his practice in 2010, Mochizuki became known for his willingness to listen to the troubles of those who came to him and for his chanting of the Heart Sutra.
He was seen either standing in meditation or walking slowly in meditative steps during which time he offered loving kindness meditation for world peace along with good health and equality for all beings. He was approachable with many stopping to ask for guidance over personal life issues. As a unique and regular fixture in the area, Mochizuki became a tourist attraction explaining:
It seems some people have put pictures of me online too. Sometimes people try to take pictures of me discreetly without asking, thinking I don’t notice, but I do! [He laughs.] However, most people are being very polite and ask me if it’s okay to take my picture. I don’t mind at all. Sometimes people from South America, who are very relaxed, suddenly come to take selfies with me, putting their hand on my shoulder! [He laughs again.] It doesn’t matter if people are from Europe, or America or Japan—they all have the same questions. I used to have them too.
The street culture of Tokyo was comfortable for Mochizuki because he spent 20 years living in New York City before returning to Japan. “The most important concept that the historical Buddha has left us is that everything is impermanent. All things change or will change. We can’t deny it. So, if you’re too attached to an idea, you’re doing something that is not natural.”
After Mochizuki’s death, a makeshift memorial was created at the site where he was most often found chanting or speaking with strangers.
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