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Mount Ōmine

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Mount Ōmine
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Mount Omine (大峰山, Ōmine-san), is a sacred mountain in Nara, Japan, famous for its controversial ban on women and for its three tests of courage.

Officially known as Mount Sanjo, it is more popularly known as Mount Ōmine due to its prominence in the Ōmine mountain range. It is located in Yoshino-Kumano National Park in the Kansai region, Honshū, Japan.

The temple Ōminesanji, located at the top of the mountain, is the headquarters of the Shugendo sect of Japanese Buddhism and the entire mountain is part of a pilgrimage and training ground for the yamabushi.

History

The monastery at Mount Ōmine was founded in the 8th century by En no Gyōja, as a home for his new religion of Shugendo.[1] Shugendo literally means "the path of training and testing," and is based on the self-actualization of spiritual power in experiential form through challenging and rigorous ritualistic tests of courage and devotion known as shugyo.[2]

During the Meiji period, in 1872 the imperial government forbade all "superstitious practices" including the rituals of Mount Ōmine. However, in 1945 the Japanese Culture Act repealed these edicts, and the mountain was opened again.

In 1964, Mountaineer/author Kyūya Fukada selected Mount Ōmine as number 91 of his 100 famous mountains in Japan. Fukuda's three criteria for the selection of 100 celebrated mountains was their physical grandeur, historical and spiritual significance to Japan, and its individuality, meaning it must have a unique shape, phenomenon or event associated with it.[3]

In 2004, it was designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.[4]

Ban on Women

Traditionally, women in Japan were not allowed to climb mountains sacred to either the Shinto or Buddhist religions. At first, these areas were banned to unclean people, such as those who had recently had a death in the family, but eventually came to be called Nyonin Kekkai (如人結界) and were off-limits to women only.

The gender bans on most sacred mountains, such as Mount Fuji, were abolished in 1872 by government decree. Mount Ōmine is the last mountain in Japan to maintain the traditional custom of forbidding women to climb. A sign at the entrance to the mountain proclaims "No Women Allowed," the slogan being written in several languages.

The origin of this tradition is unknown, but is believed to be linked to Shinto concepts of impurity, specifically the "blood impurity" brought on by menstruation and childbirth. It is also believed that the reason for the ban is to remove thoughts of temptation from the monks who are supposed to practice strict self-denial while climbing.

The ban has been challenged many times, but with no success. Supporters note that the ban is traditional, citing an unbroken 1,300 year tradition.[5]

Mount Ōmine's designation as a World Heritage site ended most debate on the gender ban, as it was seen to have been given a stamp of approval by UNESCO.[6]

Tests of courage

There are three shugyo on Mount Ōmine, each said to strengthen the spiritual power of the challenger. Climbers not wishing to take the tests can easily walk around them.

  • Kane Kane Iwa - The Hanging Stone, also known as the Crab Rock due to the position one must take when ascending, is a roughly 30-foot tall cliff, most of which is easily climbable. However, at the top there is an overhanging rock. To climb the rock, one must swing out over the overhang, using an embedded length of chain to ascend.
  • Nishi no Nozuki - The Insight from the West is a sheer cliff, roughly 200 feet high, roughly the same height as the Golden Gate Bridge. Novices are held head-first over the cliff, where they are compelled to admit their faults and promise to follow the social and religious laws.
  • Byodo Iwa - The Rock of Equality is only available by special request. It is a rock tower, overlooking a deep cliff. Several projections from the wall allow individuals to cross over to the other side.

References

  1. ^ Shugendo “Yamabushi Monks of the Orient"
  2. ^ Shugendo “Introduction to Shugendo"
  3. ^ JLD Times “Making a Mountain of mountains"
  4. ^ UNESCO World Heritage “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range"
  5. ^ San Francisco Chronicle “Peak's spiritual tradition raises hackles: No women allowed on Japan's holy Mount Omine"
  6. ^ Williams University [http://www.williams.edu/go/native/omine.htm “A mountain pilgrimage for men only: tradition bars female climbers"]
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