A Zen mind is a beginner's mind; Free of all judgement, preconceived ideas and open to all possibilities & opportunities.
I have spent the past 3 weeks trying to understand what I can about Japanese Zen Buddhism (with an open heart and a Zen mind), but it isn't easy. After many hours of walking, sitting, chanting and talking Zen, I am still not sure I am getting it! I read through my journal (many pages of a very thick book), and there are loads of different ideas but I feel like I am looking at bits and pieces of a huge jig-saw puzzle and am not quite getting the full picture.
Zen masters actually do not encourage the intellectualisation of Zen. I thought Master Osho (Head of the Hossenji Temple) was being mean and lazy when he refused to give me an english translation of the sutras we were chanting, but upon further reflection, I think it may actually be part of the training. If someone gives us a piece of paper and tells us 'This is a piece of paper', we have a pre-conceived idea about what the piece of paper is (what it is made of, what it can be used for etc... ) On the other hand, if we are given something and do not know what it is, we are not limited by the pre-given label and will take the pain to investigate into the true essence of the object. (the lines and texture of the paper, the fact that is was from a tree, the various possibilities of how we can put it to use etc...) Similarly, in the chanting of the sutras I guess we should first experience the sutras through the vibrations of the sounds and only when we start to be familiar with it (start to feel the stirring of the heart), then we can start studying the various translations. They say that Zen is an experiential practise and not an academic study!
There are nevertheless many books on Zen (in every temple and house) and I have been earnestly devouring all I can. Which is probably why I am so confused! The more I read, the more confused I get! Everything is a matter of perception and since there are no right and wrong answers, it is all a matter of how we look at things! If I were to stand in front of an elephant, I would describe him as having huge ears, a long trunk, tiny eyes etc...., but a person standing behind the elephant will describe it as having thick legs, a big bottom, a thin tail etc.... And we would both be right! It's all a matter of perspective! Well, my problem is that I want to see the WHOLE ELEPHANT, and in this whole elephant hunt, I am starting to feel like I am seeing pink flying elephants!
According to Chapter 1 of Buddhas teachings (which we covered Day 1 at the temple), life is suffering. Me, I don't get where this doom and gloom is coming from! Life is wonderful. Granted, some people may not have it that easy, but isn't pain & suffering, merely experiences given so that we can grow to reveal our true inner self and to develop greater compassion for others? I think it may have something to do with the Theory of Interconnectedness : Since we are all one, if there is anyone who is suffering, we feel and experience their suffering too.... hmm.... I honestly don't know how much pain & suffering of the world I can hold in my heart (or on my shoulders)! Gotta think about how to be compassionate (Ultimate compassion - Namo Avalokiteshvera Ayam) and still Be Happy!
I think I got a new understanding about the concept of living in the NOW that I am feeling pretty chuffed about though! Everyone kept talking about being present in the NOW and not dwelling in the past or projecting into the future... For me, that always had a sense of recklessness to it that I was not too comfortable with! If we live in the now and never think of the future, isn't that living a life of no consequence and isn't a life without consequence therefore inconsequential and meaningless! You know when Eckart Tolle (the guy who wrote The Power of Now) abandoned his life and was homeless for I don't remember how many years... Well, I never really understood that! The Zen Now, I found out, is not just about a single moment though, it actually encompasses all moments from the past (in this life and previous lives) and encompasses all moments of the future (including that of future generations), because every moment, every encounter, everything that happens, happens for a reason. Everything is interconnected and interdependent. The Zen life is therefore not the life of a libertine, but is a life of past and future karmic responsibility; for society, for community and for family!
PS : The above half finished note was written about 1 week ago. I have just gotten back from doing part of the Shikoku 88 temple pilgramage and after much chatting with "Saint" Kobai Dashi, I think my jig-saw is starting to take shape! All is not in vain! I need to go through my notebook and try to summarise my rambling-ons for the next post!
Gya-tei, Gya-Tei, Hara Gya-Tei, Hara So Gya-tei, Boji So Wa Ka, Hannya Shin Gyo!
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