Kokūzō – Space Treasury

‘Kokūzō – Space Treasury‘ combines a Japanese mantra with English lyrics that describe the qualities of Kokūzō Bosatsu, one of the five great wisdom Bodhisattvas of Esoteric Buddhism.

The lead vocal on the track is sung with Ayla Schafer.

“I can’t remember how I first met Ayla Schafer, but we’ve been friends for many years now, sharing time on concert stages and in recording studios from here to there – she singing with my songs, and me playing flute on hers. Her voice carries such a magical quality of enchantment. Soft and ephemeral yet with such a depth of soul. I first started the recordings for the One Thousand Petals album back in 2016, and Ayla has been right there with me ever since the outset of the project, helping me so much to give shape and feel to these songs. A lifetime in music brings many collaborations and adventures along the way, but sometimes a connection grows that feels like a precious jewel, passing through many seasons and always bringing a fresh shine and fresh inspiration. Thank you Ayla for the songs, the heart medicine, and the sense of a shared musical journey.”

Adrian Freedman

Kokūzō is regarded as one of the great Bodhisattvas of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism – Mikkyo. He is associated with the sky in Buddhist mythology, and he is known as the guardian of the purity of infinite space. His name can be translated as “Boundless Space Treasury” as his wisdom is said to be as boundless as space itself.

“During the 8 years that I lived in Japan I became immersed in certain aspects of Buddhist teachings. This process started with Zen, as the shakuhachi flute is considered as an instrument of Zen, and when I originally went to Japan in 1990 it was to study and learn the Honkyoku shakuhachi pieces which were played by Komuso Zen monks. Later I was drawn to the teachings and mythologies of Mikkyō – Japanese Esoteric Buddhism, that’s how I encountered Kokūzō. I immediately felt a strong affinity with him and his qualities, to the extent that I named my music studio Kokūzō Studio.”

Adrian Freedman

Kokūzō is regarded as one of the great Bodhisattvas of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism – Mikkyo. He is associated with the sky in Buddhist mythology, and he is known as the guardian of the purity of infinite space. His name can be translated as “Boundless Space Treasury” as his wisdom is said to be as boundless as space itself.

In the Womb World Mandala (Taizōkai), Kokūzō appears as the central deity in the Court of Space wearing a crown of five gems, with right hand holding a sword and left a lotus topped with a jewel. The sword represents the sharpness of insight that cuts through ignorance and duality.The jewel in the lotus represents the clarity of mind arising from the dark into the clear light of consciousness.

Kokūzō represents the great wisdom of the Buddha that exists throughout the entire universe. He has the virtue of enabling those who chant his mantra to obtain the illuminated wisdom of the Buddha. His mantra is sung here in Japanese:

Nôbô akyasha kyarabaya
On arikya mari
Bori sowaka

Hail to the great Space-bearer
Wearing a garland of flowers and a crown
Oh! Awakening

‘Bori sowaka’ is the Japanese pronunciation for the Sanskrit ‘Bodhi Swaha’.

Bodhi literally means awakening.

‘Swaha‘ is derived from the Sanskrit root words ‘Swah’ and ‘Aha’. ‘
‘Swah’ represents the heavens, while ‘Aha’ means to accept or receive. Therefore, ‘Swaha’ is an offering to the divine, an act of surrendering to the higher energies.

Kokuzo Painting Momoyama Era 16th Century

Kokuzo Painting - Momoyama Era 16th Century

Kokuzo Painting 3 - Momoyama Era 16th Century