| Please note: This article is about the Temple of Suitengu in Mantis Isles. For other uses of the term, please see Temple of Suitengu (disambiguation). |
The Temple of Suitengu was one of the oldest temples dedicated to Suitengu, the Fortune of the Sea. It was located on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mantis Isles, only a few hours' ride south of Toshi no Inazuma. A large dock with fishing vessels surrounded the temple. [1]
Founding[]
In year 137 a wealthy Crane merchant named Mishima was the only survivor of a sunk during a trading voyage from Crane lands to the Mantis Isles. For days she was left stranded in the middle of the ocean, and near to fall unconscious Mishima had a vision of Suitengu. The Fortune ordered her to build a new temple in the first piece of land site she would set foot upon. When Mishima awoke she was on the shore, and all her attempts to leave the island were wasted. She returned to the beach and found a blue pearl inside an oyster near the outline of her first footprint there. Using all the funds at her disposal Mishime founded the temple, after years of labor. The blue pearl was set in the out-stretched palms of Suitengu's statue. [1]
Tradition[]
Monks used to be former sailors, retired from a long life at sea. The villagers supplied the temple with fresh fish, and the monks in return lent a hand in the fishing labor. [1]
Training[]
Novice monks were apprenticed to merchant vessels, youth and retired samurai alike, as humility was a lesson that must be learned. Sailing and swimming, and the history of their order were taught to all Suitengu monks, as well as net making or weaving se planes into baskets. Many monks of Suitengu were illiterate, so they knew of the Tao was recorded in memory. [2]
Sensei[]
Suitengu's blue pearl was taken and thrown into the waters in front of the temple when a new Master was needed to be chosen. Due to the pearl's opalescent blue color, it was extremely difficult to find in the deep water. The monk who found the pearl and returned it became the new master, blessed and guided by the Fortune of Sea. If none of the monks was worthy of the post, the pearl diver who found it was Suitengu's chosen, so the monks immediately initiated the peasant into their order, promoting him to master status [3]
Known Temple Masters[]
References
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