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Warrior of Zen (Shosan)

From the beginning it’s best to do zazen in the midst of strife and confusion...

...What use can there be for a zazen requiring a quiet place? However appealing Buddhist teachings may be, the samurai should throw out anything he can’t use when the moment for his battle cry arrives. So he never needs anything but the mind of the Nio at all times....

The Nio are the two guardian deities who stand on either side of the temple gate. Each carries a thunderbolt-like weapon that, according to esoteric Buddhism, symbolizes the diamond-hard wisdom mind.

Suzuki Shosan (1467-1568), former warrior turned monk, seized upon the vital energy symbolized by these two ferocious-looking deities; he emphasized it to students, and demonstrated in his person the need to cultivate it in all activities.

Because of its uniqueness, Shosan became associated exclusively with his Nio zazen as though it were the whole of his teaching. But Nio zazen was only one side of this very complex and distinctive Zen master and cannot be understood unless seen as an integral part of Shosan’s life and teaching, as we read in the following passages:

Eradication of the "I" is the true Dharma

One day a lay person asked: "I’m told that there are mistaken practitioners and true practitioners. How can we distinguish one from the other?"

The Master responded: "When the 'I' is eradicated, that is the true Dharma. Practitioners of wisdom establish a ‘wise I.’ Practitioners of compassion establish a ‘compassionate I.’ Practitioners of meditation establish ‘zazen I.’ Practitioners of a particular viewpoint establish an ‘I’ with that viewpoint. Ordinary people tend to elevate themselves. One is always trying to elevate oneself above others. No matter how humble a person’s position, if he upholds the truth, I will step aside for him."

The determination manifest in Buddhist images

This is called attending to everything within your practice.

If you don’t train yourself with the determination manifest in Buddhist images, your practice will be no use to you. I’ve heard that the main image in Unsen is the Four-Faced Bodhisattva. It is an expression of one’s complete energy being applied in all directions. The Eleven Headed Kannon manifests this same mind. The quiet repose of the Tathagata also embodies this vital energy, complete in every way. Generally when we move in a particular direction, our vital energy focuses solely in that direction, leaving other directions unattended.

Shosan likes to impress upon his students the difficulty and rarity of complete enlightenment. It is with this purpose in mind that he seems to use the symbolism of the many-headed Buddhas and bodhisattvas. They see in all directions while ordinary people see only in one or two or, as Shosan says about himself, three directions. This is another example of Shosan warning his students of the danger of making too much of a small insight.

Suzuki Shosan is among the most dramatic personalities in the history of Zen. A samurai who served under the Shogan in the 17th century, he became a Zen monk at age 41 and evolved a highly original teaching style imbued with the warrior spirit. The warrior’s life, Shosan believed, was particularly suited to Zen study because it demanded vitality, courage, and "death energy," the readiness to confront death at any moment. Emphasizing dynamic activity over quiet contemplation, Shosan urged students to realize enlightenment in the midst of their daily tasks.

Source: Warrior of Zen – The Diamond-hard Wisdom Mind of Suzuki Shosan edited by Arthur Braverman

Peach Blossoms

For about thirty years I wandered,

Searching for the real Tao everywhere.

How many times did I see the trees

Grow new branches and watch the old leaves fall.

But at this moment, seeing the peach blossoms,

Suddenly there are no more doubts.

Huang Shan-ku (1045 – 1105)

Shihan Henderson's Comment:

This quote reminds me of the Camino de Santiago. Walking....Walking......Walking......Walking......Walking........then - all at once...illumination !

Defnition of Art

The following translation from the Italian manuscript to middle English was prepared by the Author (unknown) for The Right Honorable L. Borrow Lord Governor of the Breil, and Knight of the most honorable order of the Garter, England (1594)

Before I come to a more perticuler declaration of this Art, it is requisite I use some genrall division. Wherefore it is to be understood, that as in all other arts, so likewise in this (men forsaking the true science thereof, in hope peradventure (read "by adventure") to overcome rather by desceit then true manhood) have found out a new manner of skirmishing ful of falses and flips. The which because it some what and some times prevaleth against grounds and principals, I am constayned to divide this Art into two Arts or Sciences, callinge thone the True, the other, the False art: But with all giving everie man to understand, that falsehood hath no advantage against true Art, but rather is most hurrtful and deadlie to him that useth it.

Therefore casting away deceit for this present, which shal herafter be hadled in his proper place and restraining my selfe to the truth, which is the true and principall desier of my hart, presupposing that justice (which in everie occasion approcheth neerest unto truth) obteineth allwaies the superiorite, I say whosoever mindeth to exercise himselfe in this thrue and honourable Art or Science, it is requisite that he be indued with deep Judgement, a valiat hart and great activitie, In which thre qualities this exercise doth as it were deligth, live and florish.

Passage of Time

Even when you are uncertain, do not use this one day wastefully. It is a rare treasure to value. Do not compare it with an enormous jewel. Do not compare it with a dragon’s bright pearl. Old sages valued this one day more than their own living bodies. Reflect on this quietly. A dragon’s pearl may be found. An enormous jewel may be acquired. But this one day out of a hundred years cannot be retrieved once it is lost. What skillful means can retrieve a day that is passed? No historical documents have recorded such means. Not to waste time is to contain the passage of days and months within your skin bag, without leaking. Thus sages and wise ones in olden times valued each moment, day, and month more than their own eyeballs or the nation’s land. To waste the passage of time is to be confused and stained in the floating world of name and gain. Not to miss the passage of time is to be in the Way for the Way.

Dogen (1200-1253)

Shihan Henderson's Comment:

There is something about the words of Zen Master Dogen that truly inspire me. I find his thoughts to be the elements of universal truths. I hope you enjoy his verses as much as I.

Original Mind