Shittan refers to the writing of siddham, or bonji: Sanskrit mantric characters used in Buddhist practice.

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Visualizing these characters is an important part of Mikkyo practice. Bonji are also used on protective talismans, omamori and ofuda, such as those offered by Korinji each year. The characters representing buddhas, bodhisattvas, and deities are not treated as mere symbols, but as visual manifestations of the sacred presences themselves. The practice is therefore approached with reverence, concentration, and a meditative mind.

Shabutsu, “buddha drawing,” is the practice of tracing Buddhist iconographic images using brush and ink.

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It requires calmness, concentration, and a meditative joining with the image. The ultimate aim is not merely to produce a beautiful drawing on paper, but to embody the presence of the figure being brushed.

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Like zazen, chanting, tea, and martial disciplines, these arts train the unity of body and mind. Please see the Calendar for upcoming classes.