Book Bits, The Masters

Be Like One Moment is Ten Thousand Years

Kodo Sawaki's reluctance to ever fully associate himself with a temple or a Zen institution earned him the nickname, 'The Homeless Kodo'. He was considered one of the most important figures of Japanese Zen in the 20th century for his direct approach to teaching across all social levels. The book, Teachings of the Homeless Kodo, was… Continue reading Be Like One Moment is Ten Thousand Years

Book Bits, The Masters

Taisen Deshimaru on Becoming Truly Free

Taisen Deshimaru was a student of Kodo Sawaki who traveled to France to teach in the 1960s. In Paris he set up the headquarters of the Association Zen Internationale and roused a large following. In this excerpt from a book of his teachings compiled by his student Philippe Coupey called Zen and Karma. In it,… Continue reading Taisen Deshimaru on Becoming Truly Free

Book Bits, The Masters

The Stability of One Whole Life

  We don't practice zazen in order to get enlightened; we practice zazen being pulled every which way by enlightenment. The life in which you are glared at by zazen, scolded by zazen, obstructed by zazen, and get along with tears in your eyes is the happiest life, isn't it? - Kôdô Sawaki (1880-1965) From… Continue reading The Stability of One Whole Life