And here is your daily almanac for Thursday, the twenty-ninth of February 2024, a day that graces our calendars only once every four years. Leap Day is a curious quirk of the Gregorian calendar, designed to keep our calendar year synchronized with the astronomical year. It's a special day indeed, and in the 12-year cycle of the Asian zodiac, the Year of the Dragon, along with the Rat and Monkey, often aligns with leap years, adding another layer of cultural significance to this day.

In 1936, Leap Day marked the end of the February 26 Incident, a coup attempt in Tokyo by young Imperial Japanese Army officers. It was a pivotal moment in Japanese history, leading to increased military influence over the government.

Today also marks the passing of Hōnen, the founder of Pure Land Buddhism in Japan (called Jōdo-shū), who died on this day in 1212. Hōnen's teachings emphasized the practice of Nembutsu, chanting the name of Amida Buddha, as a path to enlightenment and rebirth in the Pure Land. His compassionate approach to spirituality opened the doors of Buddhist practice to all, regardless of social standing or scholarly attainment. His teaching was so popular that it and the slight tweak on it (Jōdo Shinshū, created by Hōnen's student Shinran) quickly became the most popular forms of Buddhism in Japan.

Pure land was and is especially popular due to the faith-based aspect of the sect, emphasized in the Nembutsu, which if chanted throughout one's life may lead to a rebirth in the Pure Land, a peaceful paradise where one will be situated much better to focus on achieving enlightenment (which Hōnen said was almost impossible to achieve in this fallen world).

The Nembutsu is a very simple chant and so it is easily memorized even by the layperson. It goes: namu amida butsu ("I pay homage to the Enlightened One immeasurable").

His teachings were at first opposed by the established Buddhist schools and government, leading to periods of exile and persecution; despite this, his teachings spread widely and quickly among all classes of society.

Today's rokuyō, Tomobiki (友引), suggests a day of mixed fortunes, when you want to avoid bad things like funerals but other activities may be more positive; the morning and evening are said to be good, while afternoon is bad. (Read more about the rokuyō here)

On the old calendar, today would have been the twentieth day of the first month. We are amidst Usui (雨水), the time when rainwater begins to nourish the earth, heralding the arrival of spring, and the microseason Sōmoku mebae izuru (草木萌動), when the dormant plants and trees begin to show their first sprouts. This period symbolizes new beginnings and the awakening of life, mirroring the renewal and hope found in Hōnen's teachings.

^{Spring At Kurama Temple by Asano Takeji}

On this occasion, we also remember the wit and wisdom of Kobayashi Issa, a devout follower of Pure Land Buddhism, who found solace and inspiration in Hōnen's teachings. Issa's haiku often reflect the simplicity and depth of human emotions, as seen in his verse:

春立や愚の上に又愚にかへる
haru tatsu ya gu no ue ni mata gu ni kaeru

spring arrives—
more foolishness to come
from this fool
—Issa

^{Old Man and Dog by Shibata Zeshin}

Issa's self-deprecating humor is on full display here, as always. He wrote this at the beginning of his kanreki year (60th year) and mused before the poem that his lack of talent seemed to have given him a longevity.

As a follower of Pure Land Buddhism, Issa saw the beauty in acknowledging one's folly, especially with the fresh start offered by spring—a season that symbolizes new beginnings and growth.

Today's rokuyō, Tomobiki (友引), serves as a gentle reminder of life's dual nature—moments of auspicious beginnings intertwined with periods of reflection. As we continue the transition from winter to spring, marked by Usui (雨水) and the awakening of the earth in the microseason Sōmoku mebae izuru (草木萌動), let us embrace the lessons of Hōnen and Issa. Their teachings encourage us to acknowledge our follies and to find renewal in our continuous journey towards enlightenment.

Be well, do good work, and stay in touch.

❦

David LaSpina is an American photographer and translator lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time and searching for the perfect haiku. He blogs here and at laspina.org. Write him on Twitter or Mastodon.