Mandala Society of Croatia

Mandala Society of Croatia was established in 1999 as a vehicle for esoteric Shingon practices and teachings as transmitted by Ajari Jomyo Tanaka, as well as to facilitate workshops, courses, and training, covering the broad range of Buddhist teachings and practices for awakened living. Based in Rijeka, Croatia.

PROGRAMS

• • individual mentoring and instruction 2022-present
• • monthly group sessions for established practitioners in 2016-2021
• • daylong intensive training in ritual and contemplation
• • introduction to Shingon practice for prospective practitioners
• • public courses 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
• • occasional workshops and demonstrations of traditional shodo and siddham calligraphy
• • regular programs taught by Hokai Sobol (website in English)

GUEST EVENTS

• Ajari Jomyo Tanaka, Shingon Mikkyo 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012

• performance of Japanese choir from Narita, with the presence of Reverend Shojin Hashimoto, head of Narita-san Shinshoji 2007

DHARMA

Buddhadharma began in ancient India with the teachings of the Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE) is usually recognized as an innovative teacher and genuine philosopher, and from a modern perspective as a pragmatic ethicist. Just as important, he was an active cultural reformist and social entrepreneur.

Buddhism has developed many forms in encounter with various cultures during 2.500 years of history. The essence of Buddhist traditions is being renewed today through the encounter with the West, which often challenges established philosophical, cultural and institutional conventions on both sides.

Esoteric Shingon Buddhism was introduced to Japan by Kukai (774-835), later known as Kobo Daishi. Our principal teacher Jomyo Tanaka is a Shingon priest, master of calligraphy, author and world traveler. Biography in English at Mandala Vermont, official website in Japanese.

More on Kukai and his thought: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kukai/

CONTACT