How to make a true champion? (Part 1)
From the book: encounter with the True Dragon , forthcoming
Maybe some of you come here for the first time with Buddhism and Buddha's teachings in touch. Perhaps you have already read books on Zen Buddhism and the Buddhist doctrine and philosophy. If so, you are already familiar with some aspects of Buddhist teaching. But only to study the Buddhist doctrine means yet to encounter the real Buddhism. Meeting the Buddha and Buddhism, is something much more real than the words of a book. A very important aspect of this, the personal Contact a Buddhist teacher or master. Only through such a contact from person to person, ie by a real encounter, we can begin to explore Buddhism. I believe above all that the first encounter with a master very important.
I remember very clearly about how I first met my own master, and I want to tell you like it. I have already mentioned that I am of religion and philosophy felt very attracted to when I was young, but this in a simple manner. In my early school days I was very serious and naive and blindly believed in the ideas that I came in contact. My parents believed in a particular religion, but they had a respectful attitude towards life.
I assume that they mean something naive faith in ideas nor encouraged. But all this changed dramatically in the days when I was in junior high school. The natural changes in my body at that time also seemed to cause significant changes in my thinking to. I suddenly became very skeptical about what I had previously believed. This belief seemed essentially to be based on nothing other than on my own, driven by desires and thoughts on many false and inaccurate ideas about life. I could find no good reason, one to have to do and the other, and I lived for a time a rather free life. But I had little joy of this freedom. Life seemed empty to me and made me depressed. I was getting lazy and comfortable and myself on always negligent. My health was bad and my physical condition unstable.
I have freed me from this unpleasant state by attempting to pass the exams for admission to high school. This was a challenge I had at that time needed to awaken from the dormant state energies. I devoted myself entirely to my studies now and as I did, my life was quiet and orderly. Then I joined a sports club, and began to run long distances. As a result, my health was better, my mind clear and focused, and this seemed to strengthen the physical health and energy to fulfill. This truly dramatic improvement in my physical and mental well-being seemed like a miracle. Was this just a coincidence? Only one species maturation? And what was the real relationship between my mind and my body? These questions moved me very much and left me no peace. By this I
thoughtful questions, I took my old fondness for interesting ideas to get to other areas of the time know. At that time, the Japanese policy of an extremely right party dominates. I asked myself as a student, whether to support the growing militarism or resist him. How could a man such difficult relationships to estimate clear and correct? When I tried to answer these questions, I was inevitably drawn to the publications of great philosophers and religious commentators. I read some books on Buddhism, but they gave me the impression that Buddhism is essentially a doctrine of asceticism and self-denial. Such a pessimistic approach to life was not what I was looking for.
Then I read a book entitled "A study of the spiritual history of Japan" by Tetsuro Watsuji. It was considered a masterpiece that every student should read. From the fact described religious figures in Japanese history pulled me particularly master Dogen, a Buddhist priest of the 13th Century, at. The story of his long and ultimately successful search for the truth for me was very exciting and fascinating. I wanted to learn more about this interesting man and his ideas about the life. In search of his publications, I found his work Shobogenzo, "The treasury of the true Dharma eye."
In that time I had to understand a youthful confidence in my own ability, everything I read wanted. But to my great surprise and disappointment when I could understand Shobogenzo as good as nothing. Still, I felt in some way by the work attracted extraordinary and I would not let go. Certain phrases had a special attraction for me and I felt intuitively that they contained ideas which were deeply unusual, although I could not grasp their meaning clear.
about in that time I found a note in a Buddhist magazine on a retreat ( Sesshin) for study and practice has been carried out in a temple north of Tokyo . The presentations were by Master Kodo Sawaki held, a priest of the Buddhist Soto school, which is a known tradition of Japanese Buddhism and relies on Master Dogen as their founder. Master Kodo Sawaki at that time was a well-known masters in Japan. He was above all to live for his kind and teach famous, because he to the old tradition of home-less monks (mendicants) belonged. He did not have its own temple, but wandered about in Japan and "borrowed" from the temple, the less were used. There he stayed for a while, students gathered around and taught them Buddhism to his understanding to then migrate to another temple and a to teach another group of students. He liked to call himself Kodo: Kodo without residence.
led this lifestyle of wandering champion Sawaki finally north to the temple of Tokyo and this gave me the opportunity to experience the first time a Sesshin and hear the words of a living Buddhist master. I remember my happy feeling and the great expectations when I am using my rice bags and other supplies to the temple opened. I had the feeling to start an adventure with my central question of the truth.
I was the first lecture Champion Sawaki impressed. The topic of his lecture Fukan Zazengi, " General guidelines for zazen " was. This was a master Dogen's first major publication in which he gave clear and practical instructions for zazen, the Buddhist practice of sitting in silence. He explained it very clearly and convincingly the important points of Buddhist doctrine.
master Sawaki talked about the first sentences of the text, which states:
"If we now ask for the truth, [the answer is that] it is originally present everywhere. Why should we practice on the exercise and experience to rely? The basic vehicle [to achieve] exists out of itself. What benefit would there even the slightest exercise practice? "
When Master Sawaki said these words, I was of the completely positive and optimistic attitude, they radiated, deeply impressed and shocked. Could it be that my initial impression was wrong of Buddhism as a pessimistic religion? During the presentation, I always had a stronger sense that Master Sawaki from his own more than 60 years of life experience and that this drew his presentation was so exciting. I was deeply moved. I felt I really listened to the simple great truth - that Master Kodo Sawaki in fact a true master of Buddhism.
