The Japanese folktale of the selfish scholar - Iseult Gillespie

Summary

In ancient Kyoto, a Shinto scholar seeks spiritual purification through a harae ritual at the Hie Shrine. After 80 pilgrimages, he encounters a grieving woman and helps her bury her mother, risking spiritual defilement. Despite fearing the loss of kami's favor, he finds that true spiritual insight comes from compassion, not isolation. The scholar learns that purity is not in avoidance but in the heart's kindness, leading him to embrace the spiritual beauty in all aspects of life.

Takeaways

• 🧘 The story revolves around a devout Shinto scholar seeking spiritual purification through a pilgrimage to Hie Shrine.
• 🌿 The scholar believes that his surroundings and neighbors are polluting his soul, necessitating a purification ritual.
• 🚶‍♂️ He embarks on a journey to the shrine, which becomes a solitary and meditative experience.
• 🌧️ Despite harsh weather conditions, the scholar remains committed to his pilgrimage, seeking balance and spiritual clarity.
• 👻 His devotion leads him to perceive the invisible world of spirits, including kami, which are believed to animate nature.
• 🚫 He avoids contact with those who are considered defiled by kegare, a concept of spiritual impurity in Shinto.
• 😢 The scholar is confronted with a moral dilemma when he hears a woman's cries for help, which tests his commitment to purity.
• 🪦 He decides to help the woman bury her deceased mother, despite the risk of spiritual defilement.
• 😔 The scholar feels guilt and fear after breaking his rule of avoiding contact with death, which is a significant source of kegare.
• 🏯 Upon returning to the shrine, he is reassured by a medium who communicates with the kami, teaching him that kindness is not a form of pollution.
• 🌟 The scholar learns that true spiritual purity is not about avoiding contamination but about embracing compassion and understanding.
• 🔄 With newfound insight, he continues his journey, now actively helping others and finding beauty in the spirit world even in the city.

Q & A

What was the Shinto scholar's primary motivation for seeking purification?

The Shinto scholar was often distracted from his prayers by the bustling city and felt his neighbors were polluting his soul, so he sought purification to cleanse his body and mind.

Why did the scholar decide to travel to the Hie Shrine?

The scholar decided to travel to the Hie Shrine to perform a personal harae, a purification ritual, in order to achieve spiritual clarity and maintain it for as long as possible.

How many times did the scholar resolve to make the pilgrimage to the shrine?

The scholar resolved to make the pilgrimage to the shrine 100 times, starting with his initial trip and then making it 99 more times.

What was the scholar's reaction to the invisible world of spirits after his repeated pilgrimages?

Over time, the scholar's devotion allowed him to sense the invisible world of spirits, including the kami that animated the rocks, breeze, and animals.

What was the greatest threat to the scholar's quest for spiritual purity according to the script?

Kegare, the state of defilement, was the greatest threat to the scholar's quest for spiritual purity, as it was associated with the sick, deceased, and those who committed violent crimes or defiled the land.

What dilemma did the scholar face during his 80th pilgrimage, and how did he resolve it?

The scholar heard a woman's sobs and learned she needed help with her mother's burial. Despite the taboo of death and the risk of defilement, he chose to help her, prioritizing kindness over his personal spiritual quest.

How did the scholar feel after the burial, and what did he decide to do?

The scholar felt weighed down by the taboo of death and believed he had corrupted his divine journey. He decided to return to the shrine to cleanse himself.

What was the medium's reaction to the scholar's defilement, and what did she do?

The medium, instead of forsaking the scholar, smiled and gave him a blessing, thanking him for his kindness, which revealed to the scholar that contamination and corruption are different.

How did the scholar's approach to his journey change after his encounter with the medium?

After the encounter with the medium, the scholar began to help those he met during his journey, understanding that true harae could only be understood through personal experience.

What was the scholar's attitude towards the city he had previously shunned after his spiritual realization?

The scholar began to see the beauty of the spirit world everywhere, including in the city he had previously shunned, as his understanding of harae and spiritual purity evolved.

Outlines

00:00

🧘‍♂️ Scholar's Spiritual Quest

The story revolves around a Shinto scholar in ancient Kyoto who seeks spiritual purification through a harae ritual. Disturbed by the city's distractions, he embarks on a pilgrimage to the Hie Shrine, intending to repeat the journey 100 times for spiritual clarity. Despite the physical challenges and the need to avoid contact with the spiritually 'polluted,' he perseveres. However, upon hearing a woman's desperate cries during his 80th pilgrimage, he faces a moral dilemma that challenges his beliefs about purity and defilement.

Keywords

💡Shinto

Shinto is an indigenous religion of Japan that emphasizes the worship of nature spirits or deities known as kami. In the script, the Shinto scholar's devout practice and his quest for purification through harae reflect the core beliefs of Shintoism, which values purity and harmony with the natural world. The scholar's journey to the Hie Shrine is a testament to the importance of sacred places in Shinto practice.

💡Harae

Harae is a Shinto purification ritual intended to cleanse an individual of spiritual impurities or pollution. In the narrative, the scholar seeks harae to purify his body and mind from the distractions and pollution of the city. His repeated pilgrimages to the Hie Shrine symbolize his commitment to maintaining spiritual clarity and purity, which is a central theme in the video.

💡Kami

Kami refers to the divine or sacred beings in Shinto belief, which can be found in various forms, including natural elements, animals, and even ancestors. The scholar's increased sensitivity to the kami through his purification rituals illustrates the video's theme of spiritual awakening and the interconnectedness of the visible and invisible worlds.

💡Kegare

Kegare is a concept in Shinto that denotes spiritual impurity or defilement, often associated with death, sickness, or moral corruption. The scholar's fear of kegare drives his initial avoidance of contact with the sick and deceased. However, his eventual act of compassion towards the grieving woman challenges this fear and leads to a profound realization about the nature of purity and corruption.

💡Pilgrimage

A pilgrimage is a journey undertaken for religious or spiritual reasons, often to a sacred place. In the script, the scholar's pilgrimage to the Hie Shrine is a central element of his quest for spiritual purification. His repeated journeys symbolize his dedication and the transformative power of持之以恒的 spiritual practice.

💡Defilement

Defilement, in the context of the video, refers to the state of being spiritually polluted or impure, which is considered a serious taboo in Shinto. The scholar's fear of defilement by death is a significant obstacle in his journey, but his decision to help the grieving woman despite this risk leads to a pivotal moment of insight.

💡Medium

A medium is a person who is believed to have the ability to communicate with spirits or the dead. In the script, the medium at the Hie Shrine plays a crucial role by recognizing the scholar's spiritual dilemma and offering him a blessing. This interaction underscores the video's message that true spiritual purity is not about avoiding defilement but about embracing compassion and kindness.

💡Spirit World

The spirit world, as depicted in the video, is an invisible realm that exists alongside the physical world and is populated by kami and other spiritual entities. The scholar's journey and his eventual openness to helping others allow him to perceive the beauty of the spirit world, even in the midst of the city he once found distracting.

💡Compassion

Compassion is the feeling of empathy and the desire to alleviate the suffering of others. In the narrative, the scholar's act of compassion towards the grieving woman, despite the risk of defilement, becomes a turning point in his spiritual journey. It demonstrates the video's underlying message that true spiritual growth comes from engaging with the world and its challenges, rather than isolating oneself.

💡Purity

Purity in the video is initially associated with physical and spiritual cleanliness, free from defilement. However, through the scholar's experiences, the concept of purity evolves to encompass moral and ethical purity, such as kindness and selflessness. The scholar's realization that purity is not about avoiding contamination but about maintaining a pure heart is a central theme of the video.

💡Taboo

A taboo is a strong social prohibition or ban against certain actions, often of a religious or moral nature. In the script, the taboo of defilement by death or sickness initially guides the scholar's actions. However, his encounter with the grieving woman and the medium challenges these taboos, leading to a deeper understanding of the true meaning of spiritual purity.

Highlights

A devout Shinto scholar seeks personal purification amidst the distractions of ancient Kyoto.

The scholar embarks on a pilgrimage to Hie Shrine, emphasizing the importance of solitude.

He resolves to make the pilgrimage 99 times, demonstrating his commitment to spiritual clarity.

The scholar's journey reveals the invisible world of spirits, enhancing his connection to nature.

He senses the kami in the environment, illustrating a deepening spiritual awareness.

The scholar avoids contact with others to maintain his spiritual purity, adhering to the taboo of kegare.

Kegare represents the greatest threat to his quest for spiritual purity, highlighting the importance of cleanliness.

The scholar encounters a woman mourning her mother, which challenges his strict adherence to rules.

Despite the risk of defilement, he chooses to help with the burial, showcasing compassion over fear.

The burial experience leads to a profound internal conflict about his spiritual journey.

The scholar seeks cleansing at the shrine after feeling the weight of his actions.

He discovers a medium at the shrine who recognizes his inner turmoil and offers a blessing.

The medium reveals that contamination and corruption are fundamentally different concepts.

This revelation transforms the scholar's perspective, allowing him to embrace helping others.

He begins to see beauty in the spirit world, even in the city he once avoided.

The scholar learns that true understanding of harae comes from personal journeys of compassion.

Transcripts

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 he sought to perform some kind of personal harae—

a purification ritual that would cleanse his body and his mind.

He decided to travel to the revered Hie Shrine.

The trip was an arduous climb that took all day.

But he was glad for the solitude it afforded him,

and the peace he felt upon returning home was profound.

The scholar was determined to maintain this clarity for as long as possible,

and resolved to make this pilgrimage another 99 times.

He would walk the path alone, ignoring any distractions in his quest for balance,

and never straying from his purpose.

The man was true to his word, and as days stretched into weeks,

he walked through driving rain and searing sun.

Over time, his devotion revealed the invisible world of spirits

which 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.

He was determined to avoid contact with those who had strayed

from the path and become polluted with kegare.

This taboo of defilement hung over the sick and deceased,

as well as those who defiled the land or committed violent crimes.

Of all of the threats to the scholar’s quest for spiritual purity,

kegare was by far the greatest.

After paying his respects for the 80th time,

he set out for home once more.

But 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.

He soon came to a cramped cottage, with a woman crumpled outside.

Filled with pity, the scholar implored the woman to share her sorrow.

She explained that her mother had just died—

but no one would help her with the burial.

At that news, his heart sank.

Touching the body would defile his spirit,

draining his life force and leaving him forsaken by the kami.

But as he listened to her cries, his sympathy soared.

And so, they buried the old woman together,

to ensure her safe passage into the spirit world.

The burial was complete, but the taboo of death weighed heavily on the scholar.

How could he have been so foolish,

to shirk his most important rule and corrupt his divine journey?

After a tormented night,

he resolved to go back to the shrine to cleanse himself.

To his surprise, the usually quiet temple was filled with people,

all gathering around a medium who communicated directly with the kami.

The man hid himself, not daring approach in case anyone glimpse his polluted soul.

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.

But the medium merely smiled.

She took his impure hand in hers,

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, the scholar set himself back on 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'd previously shunned.

Others cautioned that he risked kegare—

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.