Kya’ka
o Miyo
Look under your feet
Directly realize your True Nature, become a Buddha. – Bodhidharma
A person comes to Zen when he seriously reflects over questions like: What is human being? What is the meaning of life? Who am I? Ordinarily when one enjoys peace and good health, one does not feel any need for self-reflection and complacently identifies with his limited personality and body. But at some point the contradictions and transience of human life will cause a person to despair. He may then seek his True Self. The True Self is absolutely free human nature which transcends all dualistic categories such as mind and body, rich and poor, life and death.
A person might also come to Zen to develop strength and courage. The cultivation of the power of concentration means to cultivate the power that makes one the master of any situation. When a person is empty and plunges deeply into the surrounding world, all oppositions cease; the self and the world become One. Then one’s actions are filled with extraordinary power. Daito Kokushi, a great Japanese Rinzai Master, lived among beggars to refine himself by living under the worst possible conditions. Once a degraded samurai came to test a new sword on a beggar. Daito told the others to hide and sat in meditation. The samurai approached Daito, drew his sword, and said, “Get ready. My sword is going to cut you in two.” Daito did not move. An awe came over the samurai who hesitated and beat a retreat. Another master was able to make a temple bell peal from nine feet away with the power of his exhalation.
Admirable as they may be, philosophical or psychological insight and personal power are not the true aim of Zen. In the Zazengi it is written:
The Bodhisattva who wants to attain transcendental intuition should first of all entertain a great compassionate heart, take the Four Vows for the salvation of the world, experience samadhi (a state of concentration in which there is no subject and object) profoundly, save other people at any cost, and refrain from wishing for self-liberation alone.
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©
2005 Daihonzan Chozen-ji