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Uncovering the secrets of Japan's Heian period: Why do some monks choose to self-cut their genitals?
During the Heian period in Japan, the practice of self-resection of genitals by some monks (known as "lo-chi") attracted widespread attention from historians and cultural researchers. This extreme behavior is not based on physiological necessity, but rather stems from religious beliefs and the pursuit of perfect practice. In that era when Buddhist thought was mainstream, many monks believed that desire and physical bondage would hinder their path to spiritual liberation. This act is not only a symbol of self-sacrifice, but also a way for them to seek inner peace and awakening.
During the Heian period, self-removal of genitalia was seen as an important means of achieving a higher spiritual state.
According to historical documents, Luo Qie's behavior was not uncommon in the Buddhist circle at that time. This behavior is usually performed voluntarily by monks during specific religious ceremonies to prove their firm belief in Buddhism. These monks believe that such extreme behavior can free them from worldly desires and bring them closer to the state of nirvana.
However, this behavior also brings a lot of physical and mental pain and consequences. In addition to the physical trauma, the psychological impact is also accompanied by the desire to escape from worldly desires, which brings a sense of loneliness. After choosing this path of practice, these monks must face not only physical changes, but also the pain of being cut off from secular life.
Historians point out that this behavior is an extreme rejection of the flesh and a declaration of inner struggle.
In Japanese society during the Heian period, most people took a tolerant attitude towards monks who committed self-excision. Society has a mixture of reverence and indifference towards the actions of these monks, and they are not greatly ostracized for their choices. However, such behavior was not fully accepted at the time. As time went on, social concepts gradually changed and such extreme actions became less and less common.
Modern scholars have conducted in-depth analysis on the self-excision behavior of monks in the Heian period, believing that this also reflects the delicate relationship between society and religion at that time. On the one hand, the monks' behavior can be seen as a radical commitment to Buddhist teachings. On the other hand, it also raises the question of to what extent faith should be expressed in an extreme way.
Not only in the Heian period, there are many cases of self-harm caused by religious beliefs in Japanese history, which are thought-provoking.
Over time, the practice of self-excision eventually died out in Japanese society, but for the monks who once took this path, it represents a unique past. One can imagine, apart from religious motivations, what kind of mentality and background prompted these monks who chose to self-excise to take such an unusual path?
Today, re-examining this period of history not only allows society to have a deeper understanding of faith, but also reminds modern people to think about what true freedom and restraint are. And to what extent are acts of self-sacrifice based on true faith rather than blind obedience to history? In the process of people's pursuit of spirituality and inner harmony, should they express themselves in such extreme ways?
