In the bustling city of ancient Kyoto, there lived a dedicated Shinto scholar. He led a simple life, but often found himself distracted by the lively city around him. He believed that his neighbors were affecting his spiritual purity, so he decided to perform a personal harae—a purification ritual to cleanse his body and mind. To do this, he set out on a journey to the sacred Hie Shrine.
The trip to the shrine was a challenging climb that took an entire day, but the scholar cherished the solitude it offered. When he returned home, he felt a deep sense of peace and clarity.
Determined to keep this newfound clarity, the scholar decided to make the pilgrimage to the shrine 99 more times. He traveled alone, focused on his quest for balance, and never let anything distract him from his goal. He braved harsh weather, from pouring rain to scorching sun, and his dedication opened his eyes to the invisible world of spirits that coexist with our own. He began to sense the kami, the spirits that brought life to the rocks, the breeze, and the animals around him. Yet, he chose not to speak to anyone, human or spirit, to avoid being led astray.
After his 80th visit to the shrine, the scholar was heading home when he heard someone crying in the night. At first, he tried to ignore the sounds, but the cries were too heart-wrenching. Reluctantly, he left his path to find the source of the sobs and discovered a small cottage where a woman was weeping outside. Moved by her sorrow, he asked her to share her troubles. She told him that her mother had just passed away and no one would help her with the burial. The scholar felt torn; touching the body would defile his spirit, but he couldn’t ignore her pain. Together, they buried the old woman, ensuring her safe passage into the spirit world.
After the burial, the scholar felt the weight of breaking his own rule. How could he have been so careless? Troubled, he decided to return to the shrine to purify himself once more. To his surprise, the usually quiet temple was crowded with people gathered around a medium who could communicate with the kami. The scholar hid, afraid that others might see his troubled spirit, but the medium called him forward.
Expecting to be reprimanded, the scholar approached the holy woman. To his amazement, she smiled and whispered a blessing, thanking him for his kindness. In that moment, the scholar learned a profound spiritual truth: contamination and corruption are not the same. Enlightened by this insight, he continued his journey, but this time, he stopped to help those he met along the way. He began to see the beauty of the spirit world everywhere, even in the city he once avoided. Though others warned him of defilement, he never explained why he mingled with the sick and disadvantaged. He understood that true purification, or harae, is a journey each person must experience for themselves.
Imagine you are the scholar on his journey to the Hie Shrine. Create a short skit with your classmates that depicts one of his trips. Focus on the challenges he faces and how he overcomes them. Consider how he interacts with the spirits and the environment around him. Present your skit to the class and discuss what you learned about the scholar’s dedication and spiritual journey.
Divide into two groups and debate the merits of the scholar’s initial choice to seek solitude versus his later decision to help others. One group should argue for the benefits of solitude in achieving spiritual clarity, while the other should emphasize the importance of community and compassion. After the debate, reflect on how both aspects contributed to the scholar’s growth.
Using materials of your choice, create an art piece that represents the kami, the spirits the scholar encountered on his journey. Think about how these spirits might manifest in nature and everyday objects. Share your artwork with the class and explain how it relates to the themes of the folktale.
Write your own short folktale that incorporates the themes of purification, compassion, and spiritual growth. Set your story in a modern context, perhaps in your own city or community. Share your story with a partner and discuss how the themes from the Japanese folktale are still relevant today.
In small groups, design a purification ritual that could be performed in your school or community. Consider what elements would be important for cleansing the mind and spirit in today’s world. Present your ritual to the class and discuss how it could help individuals find balance and clarity in their lives.
In ancient Kyoto, a devout Shinto scholar lived a simple life, but he was often distracted from his prayers by the bustling city. He felt that his neighbors were polluting his soul and sought to perform a personal harae—a purification ritual to cleanse his body and mind. He decided to travel to the revered Hie Shrine. The trip was an arduous climb that took all day, but he appreciated the solitude it provided. The peace he felt upon returning home was profound.
Determined to maintain this clarity, the scholar resolved to make this pilgrimage another 99 times. He walked the path alone, ignoring distractions in his quest for balance and never straying from his purpose. True to his word, he persevered through driving rain and searing sun. Over time, his devotion revealed the invisible world of spirits that exists alongside our own. He began to sense the kami, which animated the rocks underfoot, the breeze that cooled him, and the animals grazing in the fields. Still, he spoke to no one, spirit or human, determined to avoid contact with those who had strayed from the path.
After paying his respects for the 80th time, he set out for home once more. As darkness fell, he heard strained sobs in the night air. The scholar tried to push forward and ignore the moans, but the desperate cries overwhelmed him. Grimacing, he left his path to follow the sound to its source and soon came to a cramped cottage, where a woman was crumpled outside. Filled with pity, the scholar implored her to share her sorrow. She explained that her mother had just died, and no one would help her with the burial. His heart sank at the news. Touching the body would defile his spirit, but as he listened to her cries, his sympathy soared. Together, they buried the old woman to ensure her safe passage into the spirit world.
The burial complete, the taboo of death weighed heavily on the scholar. How could he have been so foolish as to shirk his most important rule? After a tormented night, he resolved to return to the shrine to cleanse himself. To his surprise, the usually quiet temple was filled with people gathering around a medium who communicated directly with the kami. The man hid himself, not daring to approach in case anyone glimpsed his troubled spirit. But the medium had other ways of seeing and called him forward from the crowd.
Ready to be forsaken, the scholar approached the holy woman. To his astonishment, she merely smiled. She took his hand and whispered a blessing only he could hear—thanking him for his kindness. In that moment, the scholar discovered a great spiritual secret: contamination and corruption are two very different things. Filled with insight, he resumed his journey, but this time, he stopped to help those he met. He began to see the beauty of the spirit world everywhere he went, even in the city he had previously shunned. Others cautioned that he risked defilement, but he never told them why he so freely mingled with the sick and disadvantaged. For he knew that people could only truly understand harae through a journey of their own.
Shinto – A traditional religion of Japan focusing on ritual practices and the worship of kami (spirits). – Many Japanese people visit Shinto shrines to pray for good fortune and happiness.
Scholar – A person who is highly educated or has an aptitude for study, often in a specific field like religion or philosophy. – The scholar spent years studying ancient texts to understand the philosophies of early civilizations.
Purification – The act of cleansing or purifying, often used in religious contexts to remove spiritual impurities. – Before entering the temple, the visitors performed a purification ritual by washing their hands and mouth.
Kami – Spirits or deities in Shinto belief, often associated with natural elements and ancestors. – The kami of the mountain is believed to protect the villagers and ensure a good harvest.
Spirits – Supernatural beings or entities often associated with religious beliefs and practices. – Many cultures have stories about spirits that guide or protect the living.
Compassion – A deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering, often considered a virtue in many religions. – Showing compassion to others is a fundamental principle in many philosophical teachings.
Journey – A process of travel or exploration, often used metaphorically to describe a spiritual or philosophical quest. – The monk’s journey to enlightenment took him through many countries and experiences.
Balance – A state of equilibrium or harmony, often sought in philosophical and religious practices. – Achieving balance between work and personal life is important for overall well-being.
Enlightenment – A state of understanding or insight, often associated with spiritual awakening or profound knowledge. – The philosopher sought enlightenment through meditation and study.
Defilement – The act of making something impure or unclean, often used in a religious context. – The sacred site was closed for rituals to remove any defilement caused by recent visitors.
