It is common for foreign visitors to fall in love with Japan, often during their first visit. Some of us take it to the next level by deciding to permanently relocate to the country. An even smaller number—perhaps fewer than can be counted on one hand—become so enamored with Japanese culture that they commit their lives to becoming a practicing mountain ascetic, or Yamabushi (山伏) in Japanese.

Meet Tim Bunting, who moved from New Zealand to the picturesque Yamagata Prefecture in Japan's Tohoku region where he now leads Yamabushi training in English and Japanese.

Key Takeaways

* Yamabushi training is an ascetic practice that has evolved over the past millennia and is a path for gaining supernatural powers. This somewhat secretive approach combines elements of Shintoism, which includes strong nature worship, with Zen Buddhism and other beliefs.

* Participants in the various multi-day Yamabushi training programs often seek mental clarity and benefit from a total digital detox of up to a week or more. The training involves experiencing one's own funeral and subsequent rebirth in a metaphysical sense. Participants almost always emerge from the process with a much greater awareness of themselves.

* Tim is about to become a "Master Yamabushi." He plans to continue living and perfecting his skills as a mountain ascetic in Japan for the time being. At some point, however, he may return to his native New Zealand to establish Yamabushi training with a local Māori leader. If you are interested in learning from Tim and his fellow "Master Yamabushi" trainers, please inquire to learn more about the experience (see below for links).

Timeline

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Key Contacts

Substack:

Website: https://www.yamabushido.jp/

Yozo Toge: https://timbunting.com/mountains/yozosan/

#TimBunting #Yamabushido #yamabushi #MountainAscetic #TantricBuddhism #VajrayanaBuddhism #Shinto #Shintoism #TohokuUniversityofCommunityServiceandScience #ティムバンティング #山伏 #山伏道 #修験道 #修験者 #仏教 #密教 #神道 #外人 #外国人 #東北公益文科大学

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