Simply letting things take their course, he found himself standing in Kyoto.
Learning, meeting people, praying, and connecting—the years spent with Buddha stirred a passionate energy within Okubo Taiga, the Onendo master.
Guided by people and Buddha, the world of Okubo Taiga, the Onendo master, began to expand.
This is the story of a young man who simply loved Buddhism, born in Nagano, and who became “Okubo Taiga, the Onendo master” in Kyoto.
ima presents “Talking” Okubo Taiga, the ONendo Master: Final Episode.
Experience the world he weaves.
Flowing into Kyoto, changing within that flow.
I wanted to come to Kyoto. That’s why I chose Shuchiin University, where I’m currently studying. It felt like a natural progression. I simply wanted to live in Kyoto. The university is a place where I can specialize in studying Buddhism and Esoteric Buddhism. Of course, there are many things you can only learn in classes, but what’s appealing about this university is that it supports my personal interests and activities, rather than just the usual school life.
Kyoto is truly an amazing place; all sorts of people gather here. Even people who aren’t temple abbots are active as Shingon Buddhist monks, and most of them are alumni of Shuchiin. Through these connections, I’ve learned and experienced so many things. I think I’ve changed a lot in these four years, to my own surprise. I’m constantly absorbing new knowledge. I think I’ve grown significantly as a monk as well.
A world that suddenly opened up
Even in high school, I truly loved Buddhism and studied it more thoroughly than anyone else. But since coming to Kyoto, I’ve encountered so many new things, and my knowledge has increased as much as when I crammed 50 volumes of “Japanese Buddhist Statues” into my head as a kindergartener. There’s so much interesting stuff, it’s almost overwhelming!
What’s most significant, however, is the encounters with people. Before I knew it, I was working at a temple I loved. That’s why I still visit various places.
I held several Dharma talks at the “Buddhist Salon Kyoto” two years ago. I also participated in exhibitions last autumn at Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple and Okamoto-dera Temple in Nara. I participate in various events whenever invited, essentially as a traveling exhibition.
I also give guided tours. Every year, I help out at the special spring and autumn openings of Jingoji Temple, and each time, I’m allowed to talk about the Buddhas and the temple buildings in my own way.
Encounter with Benben at Mii-dera Temple
My first encounter with Mii-dera Temple in Shiga Prefecture was when I was in high school, right around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. I really wanted to see the opening of the Kannon Hall at Mii-dera Temple, and also to see the wonderful Buddha statues there, so I headed there. However, the treasure hall was closed. Nevertheless, through various connections, I was able to visit the temple with Benben, and that was my first encounter with Mii-dera Temple.
From there, my connection with Mii-dera Temple continued, and in recent years I’ve been participating as a staff member at an event called “Maitori Matsuri.”
This is an event hosted by ELNEST CREATIVE ACTIVITY, an apparel brand directed by actor Arata Iura. At the event, I help out with stalls and activities together with Benben from Mii-dera Temple. It’s a place where we can offer various activities such as prayers, goshuin (temple stamps), and morning Zen meditation, and it’s been a very valuable experience.
Furthermore, my Buddha is also enshrined at Mii-dera Temple. I have dedicated four statues of the gods of fortune, forming a team of the Seven Gods of Fortune, so please come and pay your respects. Mii-dera Temple is one of my special and important temples.
University as a playground
University was also a playground for me. I used everything I could.
I also put a lot of effort into religious activities. After all, monks are religious figures… The word “religion” might sound a little strange, but Buddhism is a religion, after all. Looking back, I was very deeply involved in religion during my four years of university.
I think my passion for Buddhist statues and Buddhism accelerated dramatically during those four years.
I enjoy talking, but I especially enjoy talking to religious figures. There’s a lot of information in this world that only certain people possess. Listening to those stories requires effort, and I really think communication is everything.
I have so many stories from my four years of university that I have countless drawers to open depending on what I want to ask. I always struggle to decide which one to open… Well, let’s talk about that another time.
He’s just a “ONendo-master”
I’m not a traditional Buddhist sculptor at all. I’ve just been making Buddhist statues out of clay as a hobby since kindergarten, and I’m also a Buddhist monk… I’m just a “Nendo-shi” (a clay sculptor).
I think the title “Nendo-shi” is wonderful. It sounds a bit crazy, but it’s a conviction-filled expression. “Nendo” is an expression I’ve come to believe in myself, and I’m truly a teacher of Nendo (laughs). This name was given to me by a legendary monk who used to be at Shuchiin Temple. I’m incredibly grateful.
And so, I work as Nendo-shi, Okubo Taiga.
Each activity leads to another. Even now, new connections are being formed every day. Through one of my forms of expression, making Buddhist statues out of clay, I will continue to worship Buddha.
A word from the author
I first met Taiga-kun about four years ago at an event called “Maitori Matsuri.”
I vividly remember being introduced to him by Arata Iura (actor/director of ELNEST CREATIVE ACTIVITY, the organizer of Maitori Matsuri), who said, “That kid is really interesting.”
During casual conversation during this interview, I mentioned that when I go to places for interviews or photoshoots, people often say, “So you’re connected with Taiga-san on social media, huh?” Taiga-kun was surprised, exclaiming, “Wow!!” His reaction was unexpected to me.
But somehow, that “Wow!!” seemed to reveal just how natural Taiga-kun is when he’s sharing his thoughts and feelings. It felt like he wasn’t so much concerned with how he was perceived, but simply sharing what he loved, and it strangely resonated with me.
However, I believe Taiga has a greater power to captivate people than he realizes, and I myself am one of those who have been captivated.
I am truly grateful to Taiga for immediately agreeing to my wish that the first installment of this “Talking” series feature him!
Spending time together and talking about various things, I was made to feel that by continuing to do what he loves, in his own way, the future of Buddha will also gradually become brighter.
Finally, thank you very much to everyone who watched all four episodes of the ima presents “Talking” series, Part 1, “The Prayers Master, Okubo Taiga.”
