Interpretation of Kamo no Chomei's World in Buddhism

This article discusses the background of Kamo no Chomei's world and his retreat into the mountains in pursuit of Buddhism. It explores his response to the disasters in his reality and his decision to live as a hermit. The article also delves into his understanding of the world and his thoughts on human relationships.

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Read the introduction to find out the background of Kamo no Chomei's world
a. Interpret this paragraph according to what you know about Buddhism and
what was going on with his world.
Buddhism comprises of a variety of believes, spiritual practices that are mainly based on
original teachings accredited to Buddha. Buddhism originated in India in ancient India as
Sramana tradition spreading through much of Asia. In Chomei’s world, he decided to retreat
into a mountain hat outside the capital in the spirit of tradition and in the pursuit of
Buddhism. He is a great poet, Chomei came from venerable Kamo family, a lineage serving
the Kamo shrine and consisting of the Shinto priest. Despite losing his father in his teens, he
received advanced education in poetry and music and later wrote much poetry in relation to
Buddhism religion. He took a Buddhist vow and retreated into the mountains after he had
failed to get a position in the Kamo shrine.

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b. What do you think he is trying to say?
Chomei tries to pass the message that people should observe the Buddhist tales and
this should guide them towards a deeper understanding and salvation. He tries to compare
the life of an ordinary person and the life of a devoted person in Buddhism religion.
2. Kamo no Chomei's world was filled with disasters of one form or the other. The
introduction mentioned that many believed that this was the "mappo" period (pg.1270)
a. Describe how he responds to his reality (esp. pg. 1273-1276)
he responds to the reality of the untimely occurrences due to the unexpected changes of
the capital being moved by inheriting his pertanal grandmother’s house and occupying it for
some time then later coming down to his world and resolving to build a hat. Given that he
was unable to build a proper estate foe himself he erected a tiny hat for him.
b. How did he feel about his world?
Chomei and his contemporaries felt that they went through water shed moments of
Japanese history which was disorienting enough but they were convinced that they lived
in the ‘’Latter Day of the Law’’. Which were the third and the most degrading error of
Buddhism.
c. How did he describe himself in this world?
Chomei sees himself as a person who is unable to support himself in the aftermath of
the occurrences at the capital. He sees himself as someone who is unable to build a proper
estate and can only manage a hat. He is also disappointed by other people and feels like
he should live alone to reflect on his life.

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d. How did he understand his world?
Chomei begun to understand the nature of his world better and had seen many unexpected
things including a fire that broke out in the south eastern part of the capital. Later, a great
whirl wind arose near the intersection of Nokamikado and raged as far as Rokujo district
living nothing standing or crawling. He understood why people abandoned the capital and
wondered to other areas.
3. Kamo no Chomei tried to find peace by living as a hermit.
a. How does he justify this decision?
He tries to emulate the hermit crab that prefers its small shell and also the osprey that
lives on the rugged shows of the lake because it fears people. He confesses that he is like
them. He went against the common practice that people do not always build houses for
themselves but build them for their wives and children. He instead chose to build a hat for
himself justifying his decision by saying that given the state of the world and his own
circumstances there is neither anyone he should live and look after nor any dependable
servant.
d. What does he think of human relationships that he had to give up by living as
a hermit? (Pg. 1278-1279)
Kamo no Chomei has observed that friends and people respect the wealthy and prefer
favours. They don’t always love the upright or the warm hearted. He opts to make friends
with strings and wood winds, blossoms and the moon. He further states that servants do

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not seek to be loved and nurtured instead they seek they large bonus and generous favours
and that is why he simply chooses to make his body a servant which he sees as easier than
employing someone else.
4. What is the meaning of the last 2 paragraphs of the selections? (pg. 1279-80)
In the second last paragraph of the selection, the paragraph tries to show what choice
Chomei has over his future based on the Buddha’s teachings. He is in a dilemma because he
loves his grass hat and he is attached to it contradicting the Buddha’s teaching that one should
not cling to anything.
In the last paragraph of the selection, he ponders on what happens when one leaves the
world and enters the forest to cultivate the practice and the mind of the Buddha. He thinks
that he will appear as a monk but his mind is clouded with desires. He seeks to adapt to the
ways of his new life by adhering to the disciplines despite his desires.

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