Bankei and the Unborn
17th century Zen master Bankei on the Unborn, the unconditioned mind that comes up spontaneously and is fundamental to every person, without exception.
Search Results for: rinzai zen
Hakuin’s Song of Zazen
Hakuin’s Song of Zazen is an encapsulation of the merits of meditation, in which he encourages the student to focus on the immediate experience of presence.
No Attachment to Dust
101 Zen Stories is a compilation of stories about Zen teachers through the ages compiled by Nyogen Senzaki, a Rinzai monk who was one of the leading proponents of Rinzai Zen in the US in the 20th century. This particular story, number 77, charts the advice of Master Zengetsu to his students. Zengetsu, a Chinese… Continue reading No Attachment to Dust
Muso’s Green Mountains
Muso Soseki was a Japanese monk born in the 13th century who achieved satori at the age of 30 while staying in a hermitage in the countryside. One night he was walking about in the dark and reached out for a wall he thought was there. When he realized it wasn’t, he gave a great… Continue reading Muso’s Green Mountains
The Koan of Baso’s Very Mind
Baso’s Very Mind is the 30th case or koan in the Mumonkan, The Gateless Barrier, a collection compiled in the 13th century by Rinzai master Wumen Huikai.
Master Daito’s Original Face
Daito Kokushi (also known as Myocho Shuho) was a monk born in Japan just a generation or so after Dogen’s death and is widely celebrated in the Rinzai tradition. The founder of Daitoku-ji monastery – which still stands today – Daito is best known for the (probably apocryphal) tale of his decision to shun institutional… Continue reading Master Daito’s Original Face
“When you release it, it fills your hand; when you speak it fills your mouth” – Dogen’s Bendowa
Last week we published the Jijuyu Zanmai, which is the second part of the first half of Master Dogen’s Bendowa, the first text to be written in casual Japanese to explain the Zen Dogen had learned in China under Master Rujing. This text is the very first part of the Bendowa that precedes the Jijuyu… Continue reading “When you release it, it fills your hand; when you speak it fills your mouth” – Dogen’s Bendowa
Year in Recap: The Most Read Dewdrops of 2019
Thich Nhat Hanh, Toni Morrison and Seung Sahn: the ten most popular posts from The Dewdrop’s first year.
What is Death? You Are Already Dead
Seung Sahn was the first Korean Zen master to come to live and teach in the West. His style borrowed from a number of different Buddhist traditions, particularly Rinzai. The book, ‘Dropping Ashes on the Buddha’ is a collection of his teachings that happened both in person as well as through correspondence – a way… Continue reading What is Death? You Are Already Dead
Master Ma-tsu and Original Mind
“Strange words and extraordinary actions” were the hallmark of 8th century Ch’an master Ma-tsu (also written as Mazu Daoyi) whose teaching methods involved the kind of unorthodox actions that became associated with certain forms of Zen, especially Rinzai. Ma-tsu was particularly fond of holding up his fly whisk, shouting and hitting his students, in order… Continue reading Master Ma-tsu and Original Mind
