Returning to Silence by Dainin Katagiri

Author:Dainin Katagiri
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Shambhala

Buddhist Faith and Practice

Right Zazen

HISTORICALLY, Eisai Zenji was the founder of Rinzai Zen Buddhism in Japan. He was one of Dōgen Zenji’s instructors and Dōgen Zenji had great respect for him, mentioning him in his writings. In those days there were already many Buddhist schools in Japan, such as Kegon and Hosso; however, Zen Buddhism was not transmitted to Japan until Eisai Zenji brought it from China. Initially, Zen Buddhism was not accepted in the atmosphere of Japanese Buddhism at that time, but Eisai Zenji was eager to establish it. There were many religious enemies from other schools against his advocacy of Zen Buddhism, so the Zen Buddhism he taught had to be flexible, accepting the Tantric way of Buddhism, the Abhidharma teachings and the techniques and teachings of many other Buddhist schools. But finally he was successful in establishing Zen Buddhism in Japan.

Before Eisai Zenji transmitted Zen Buddhism to Japan, the practice of zazen was taught by other schools, but it was not exactly actualized in Japanese Buddhist life. So he tried to actualize the practice of zazen in everyday life. However, zazen was still considered a means to an end. After Eisai Zenji’s death, Dōgen Zenji went to China and studied Zen Buddhism, and when he returned he wrote about zazen as being the “right entrance” to the Buddha-dharma.1 He strongly emphasized that zazen is studying zazen-buddha. Zazen is not a way to reach the peak; zazen is exactly that we are buddha, we are already on the peak. This is a big difference from the usual understanding of zazen. Even now, many, many people still use meditation as a means to an end or as a way to reach the peak. But Dōgen Zenji emphasized that the Way is not a means to an end; the Way is exactly the same as the end itself. If using the Way, or zazen, as a means to reach a peak is the basis of our life, there is always a feeling of irritation and uneasiness; we never feel secure. This is our usual common daily life, whatever we experience, whatever we seek for. But the purpose of religion is to offer perfect security to human beings. If you believe zazen is a means, then why practice it as a religion? It is not necessary to do zazen—you could follow many other ways. Religiously speaking, the way is not the means to an end, the Way is exactly the peak itself. If we live our life in this way, there is stability and perfect security, and we can seek for the truth constantly.

Recently I have read articles in psychology magazines that clearly emphasize that Buddhism is gradually coming into the United States, not as a religion, but as a psychology. If Buddhism is accepted as a psychology, it will never be rooted in American life. Temporarily we can feel some satisfaction, some interest in it, but Buddhism will never penetrate American life. Sooner or later, when the times change, it will disappear.

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