Sho Metsu Metsu I: The Profound Japanese Concept of the “Death of Death”
In the heart of Japanese philosophy lies a sentiment that is at once terrifying and deeply comforting. Travelers to Japan often notice the culture’s unique relationship with the changing seasons, particularly the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms (sakura). This appreciation for transience is rooted in Buddhist teachings, specifically a phrase that has echoed through centuries of temples and tea houses: Sho Metsu Metsu I.
Often translated poetically as “The Death of Death,” or more literally as “When birth and death are extinguished,” this concept offers a roadmap to spiritual tranquility. For the cultural traveler, understanding this phrase unlocks a deeper appreciation of Japan’s temples, arts, and the very atmosphere of its historic sites.
The Origins: The Gatha of Impermanence
The phrase Sho Metsu Metsu I does not stand alone; it is the conclusion of a four-line verse known as the Gatha of Impermanence (Shogyo Mujo), derived from the Nirvana Sutra (Mahaparinirvana Sutra). To understand the end, one must understand the beginning.
The full verse reads:
- Shogyo mujo (All things are impermanent)
- Ze sho metsu ho (This is the law of birth and death)
- Sho metsu metsu i (When birth and death cease)
- Jaku metsu i raku (Nirvana is joy)
The first two lines acknowledge the reality of Samsara—the cycle of suffering where everything that is born must die. The third line, our focus, Sho Metsu Metsu I, proposes a radical shift. It suggests that if one can extinguish the very cycle of arising and perishing—essentially the “death of the cycle of death”—one reaches the state of Nirvana, which is ultimate peace or joy.
The Legend of the Snow Mountain Boy
The gravity of this phrase is best illustrated by the famous Buddhist legend of Sessen Doji (The Snow Mountains Boy), a story depicted in art across Japan, most notably on the Tamamushi Shrine at the Horyu-ji Temple in Nara.
According to the legend, Sessen Doji was a young aesthetic (a previous incarnation of Shakyamuni Buddha) living in the Himalayas, fervently seeking the truth. One day, the god Indra decided to test the boy’s resolve. Indra transformed into a terrifying Rakshasa (a flesh-eating demon) and appeared before the boy, reciting the first half of the verse: “All things are impermanent; this is the law of birth and death.”
The boy was struck by the profound truth of these words but was distressed that the verse seemed incomplete. He begged the demon to reveal the rest. The demon replied that he was starving and could only recite the remainder if he was fed warm human flesh.
Without hesitation, Sessen Doji promised his own body to the demon in exchange for the truth. The demon recited the final lines: “When birth and death cease, Nirvana is joy.”
Ecstatic at hearing the ultimate truth, the boy carved the poem into a tree and onto stones so others could find it, then leaped from a high cliff into the demon’s mouth. Mid-fall, the demon reverted to his form as Indra and caught the boy gently, praising his dedication to the Dharma. This story encapsulates the absolute value placed on the realization of Sho Metsu Metsu I—that wisdom is worth more than life itself.
Modern Culture and the “Iroha”
While the Sanskrit sutras may seem distant to modern life, the concept of Sho Metsu Metsu I is embedded in the very linguistic DNA of Japan. It serves as the foundation for the Iroha, a famous Japanese pangram (a poem using every character of the Japanese syllabary exactly once).
Written in the Heian period, the Iroha is a free translation of the Nirvana Sutra verse. It transforms the rigid Chinese characters into flowing Japanese poetry:
- Colors are fragrant, but they fade away. (Impermanence)
- In this world of ours, nothing remains. (Law of birth and death)
- Today cross the high mountain of life’s illusions. (Transcending the cycle)
- And there will be no more shallow dreaming, no more drunkenness. (Nirvana/Joy)
Today, you see echoes of this philosophy in anime, manga, and the samurai code (Bushido), where the acceptance of death leads to a fearless and focused life.
Traveler’s Tips: Experiencing the Philosophy
For those visiting Japan, here is how you can connect with this profound concept:
1. Visit Horyu-ji Temple (Nara)
This is a must-visit site. Look for the Tamamushi Shrine, a national treasure. On its side panels, you can see the ancient lacquer painting depicting the Jataka tale of Sessen Doji jumping off the cliff. It is a direct visual representation of Sho Metsu Metsu I.
2. Practice Zazen Meditation
Visit a Zen temple in Kyoto, such as Nanzen-ji or Kennin-ji. During Zazen (seated meditation), the goal is often to observe thoughts arising and passing away without attachment—a practical application of extinguishing the cycle of mental birth and death.
3. Appreciate the Seasons
Visit during the cherry blossom season (Spring) or the changing of the leaves (Autumn). Observe how Japanese locals picnic under the falling petals. This activity, called Hanami, is a celebration of beauty because it is fleeting. It is an acknowledgment of Shogyo Mujo, the first step toward the peace of Sho Metsu Metsu I.
Sources & Further Reading
- The Mahaparinirvana Sutra: For the original scriptural source of the verse.
- The Tale of the Sessen Doji: Often found in collections of Jataka Tales (stories of the Buddha’s past lives).
- Horyu-ji Temple Guides: Detailed historical context regarding the Tamamushi Shrine art.
- “The Iroha poem”: Various linguistic texts explain how this Buddhist sutra became the alphabet song of Japan.