There are regular people and there are monks but Kodo Nishimura proves that you can be both of these all at once.
Kodo's story is rather unconventional and also inspiring at the same time because it proves that you don't need to stick to just one thing in life. You can be whatever you want to be. He's managed to merge his quest for spirituality and his love for makeup in world that is quick to put you in a tiny box. Raised in a Buddhist temple back in Japan, Kodo probably never really imagined that he'd become a makeup artist even though he was inclined towards it since he was a child. It wasn't until he moved to the US that he truly started exploring his love for makeup and even experimenting with it.
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Dominic Phua
We ask him what exactly sparked his interest in makeup and he told us his beautiful story of overcoming his insecurities and emerging as a strong, confident individual:
¡°It was when I first saw the movie Princess Diaries?in which a nerdy looking girl transforms into a gorgeous princess.?I used to feel under confident about myself for having narrow eyes and eczema. Also because of my sexuality, I used to close my doors due to fear. I was often lonely in school too. Later I moved to Boston, where I thought I could be me and express my opinions. Still, I felt inferior for having different features from people around me in the U.S. Then I read a book about Miss Universe Japan through which I learnt that makeup can accentuate my features and boost my confidence. I first picked up an eyeliner and mascara to accentuate my eyes. Later, I had an opportunity to help my friend with makeup. When I did makeup on her, her face lit up. We couldn't believe the amazing magic makeup brought to us. I could feel the boost of confidence in her. I experienced the limitless possibility of makeup and decided to study makeup and make a career in it. To me, it is also a way to cheer people, because the happiness reflects onto me.¡±
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Dominic Phua
Nishimura was slightly worried about his parent¡¯s reaction to him choosing to be a makeup artist, but they turned out to be pretty supportive. However, something must have felt a little amiss to him because he moved back to Japan in order to connect with his spiritual self. He felt like there were a lot of physical questions he had that he needed answers to and in an attempt to find these answers, he decided to go back to his roots. Talking about his journey to becoming a monk, he told Indiatimes:
¡°I became a monk because I had questions, such as why do we have to pray, or why are we alive, or why do I have to be nice to others? Also, I wanted discover my roots since I grew up in a temple, and discover what Buddhism is. I decided to participate in the training, which took me two years. There were around 90 other participants from 18 to 60 years old. We were put under high pressure and learned discipline. After all this, I learned to be grateful through meditation. I experienced that gaining emotional intelligence can make my life calm.¡±
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Kodo Nishimura/Facebook
One might wonder how he manages to be a monk and a makeup artist at the same time. After all, both these roles are poles apart. Kodo has a very thoughtful answer to this one:
¡°It is not difficult, because being a monk is not a job, but a lifestyle for me. I try to inspire people to balance their hearts, be grateful and cherish themselves everyday. Not only personally, but also on social media and through interviews. Although it may seem quite contrasting, both roles are similar because I am helping people. If I do makeup on somebody, I'm helping them in becoming a better version of themselves. I can be generous and nicer to others when I am happy from within. But if I feeling a sense of lack, or negativity, it is harder for me to treat others nicely. So I think that feeling great and beautiful benefits everyone in the end.¡±
Kodo Nishimura
Kodo¡¯s life choices to be makeup artist and a monk at the same time are rather unconventional. Moreover, his is open about his sexuality and stands strongly for the rights of the LGBTQA community. We asked him about what the monk community thinks of the other parts of his personality. His answer is a lesson in acceptance and is extremely heartwarming:
"I was afraid to be a monk and offend my community at first. But at the end of my training, the master personally told me, "If wearing makeup and heels can help you spread the message of "everybody can be equally saved by Amida Buddha," it is alright to wear what you want.¡± Japanese monks wear casual clothes when they are not doing ceremonies, so what is the difference? I felt liberated and validated of my existence, also I felt my mission to contribute in my own way. After I became a monk, I feel cherished by my community, because I can share my unique opinions and experiences, so that they have a better idea about the LGBTQ community. The sense of LGBTQ is pretty new to many Japanese people. I actually contributed to a book by my denomination to write an essay, which was distributed to the entire temple of our denomination in Japan. They are eager to learn and respect all people. Ignorance is the main reason for misunderstanding of diverse people. I want to educate people, so that nobody is unfair discriminated anymore. To my community, I tell that Buddhism is a hope for many people who feel limited or restricted, because our Buddhism?treat all people equally, and all can be equally saved no matter who you are, and what you did.¡±
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Kodo Nishimura/Facebook