Daybreak in a Shingon household often begins with the soft murmur of mantra. A handful of beads is picked up first thing—mantra recitation (shōmyō) for Mahavairocana Buddha, usually the famous “On abokya beiroshanō makabodara mani handoma jinbara harabaritaya un.” It’s not just lip service, but a way to align body, speech and mind before the day really kicks off.

Next comes the ritual purification, a quick splash of water at a small home altar or portable shrine. It’s like rebooting a smartphone—washing away yesterday’s distractions so the mind can hit the ground running. Sometimes incense curls through the air, offering another sensory anchor.

By mid-morning or lunchtime, a few minutes are carved out for mandala visualization or sketching. Drawing the Womb or Diamond Realm mandala in tiny notebooks (or on a tablet app in these digitally savvy times) feels like retracing ancient cosmic blueprints. This practice sharpens concentration, much like athletes visualizing a winning goal.

Late afternoon often means scripture reading. The Mahavairocana or Vajrasekhara Sutras get a quick flip-through, accompanied by quiet reflection on their verses. Right now, with digital temple livestreams ticking over in the background, it’s easier than ever to join a morning service at Mount Kōya from halfway around the world—no jet lag required.

Evening brings the goma fire ritual at a local temple or at home, if space allows. Tiny sticks of wood are offered into the flame while chanting “Homage to the great fire.” This element of fire was trending long before campfires and backyard grills made a comeback—here it symbolically burns away karmic obstacles.

Before sleep, many bow three times before the altar, recite the Heart Sutra (Hannya Shingyō) and set an aspiration for the next day. It’s a bit like tucking in a promise to oneself: “Keep going deeper, keep that spark alive.” In a world chasing quick fixes, these steady rituals are anchors—tiny daily shorelines connecting modern lives to a tradition almost 1,200 years old.