ISA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

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The one-time entrance fee for beginning members is $150.00, which you may submit below with your application. Once accepted, the suggested monthly donation for members is $25 (but if you are unable to donate that amount, please donate what you can). 

Your membership includes the Shugendo Daily Recitation Book, a hardcover text bound in the traditional Japanese manner, which contains foundational texts, mantra, and mudra that you may begin to practice immediately. You will also be invited to join closed Facebook groups that contain video instruction and live streams with our Headmaster to help with learning this and other important basic practices.

Before you join, there are some important points to know:
 

• Shugendo is a tradition with many hidden teachings that are only imparted face-to-face within a committed teacher-student relationship. There are a number of practices open to everyone, but if you'd like to study the complete path and become a formal disciple of our Headmaster, it will be necessary eventually to apply for ordination.

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• Please be aware that it is not possible to learn Shugendo only from home: even though some online instruction and resources are given, traveling to events in Japan, N. America, or Europe will be necessary if you are serious about learning. Shugendo practice is difficult and requires a great deal of study and time.

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• There is a modern misconception that Shugendo is a kind of martial art practice, or a mystical system used by ninja warriors. In fact, Shugendo is a religion. It is not a supplement to martial arts, or something you can learn casually. Please do not apply for membership unless you are deeply interested in Shugendo as a path of spiritual awakening and service to others.
   

• Recently there are some organizations teaching fake Shugendo or mikkyo. Please note that if you participate in the activities of such orgs, we must unfortunately deny you membership.
  
  There are two documents you should read carefully before applying:
   

• Getting Started in Shugendo  [Español: Primeros Pasos en Shugendo] Our Headmaster has written this about the path of Shugendo. It describes our approach, and some of the things you may eventually study:

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• The ISA Student Curriculum  [Español: ISA - Curriculo Estudiantil] This doc explains the course of training that is open to you, including various rituals that are taught, testing and certification, donations for instruction, and more. 
   

TO APPLY TO JOIN ISA, please do the following:

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1. Fill out the application below and push "send" (we request your Facebook page link so that you can be invited to closed groups). Please be sure to give us your entire mailing address including postal code.

2. Submit your $150 entrance fee using the PayPal button below. (If for some reason we choose to decline your membership, your fee will be refunded.) Note that your membership application will not be reviewed until you submit the annual fee.

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3. When your membership is accepted, you may set up your monthly donation and learn what comes next. We will also order your Daily Recitation Book and send it to you as soon as it arrives from Japan.

4. Please don't forget to join the ISA email list by clicking the link in the upper right hand corner of this site, above!