Japan and Zen

Since Japan has been considered as Buddhist country, there are many Buddhist temples. There is also a considerable number of temples that are classified as Zen. There should be many Zen monks there. Also values and ideas of modern Japanese people are influenced by Zen quite a bit.
Here, let's take a look at Japan and Zen roughly.
Dogen Zenji: Dogen has been regarded as the founder of the Soto sect of Japan. After traveling China of Song dynasty and training there, he came back to Japan. It seems that he did not bring any mantra back to Japan, or did not claim the sect. He considered that "shikantaza" - just sitting - should be the base of the Zen training, Buddha-nature is originally equipped in human mind, and there is enlightenment in training itself.
It is also said that Dogen have established fine manners and behaviors that the monks shall follow.
Samurai era and Zen: Zen has spread to the Samurai ( Japanese warrior ) class. It became the basis of the Samurai spirit combined with Shinto, Confucianism and Shushi-gaku ( Neo-Confucianism ) etc.
There are several theories about why Zen has spread to the Samurai class. It is estimated that the humility honoring the poverty, beauty of manners, and severity of trainings fit the Samurai spirit.
Hakuin Zenji: Hakuin Zenji who was a man of the middle of the Edo period, has been said the master of Rinzai sect revival. He is known as the person who codified how to meditate during Zen, and Koan ( questions for Zen meditation ). In addition, he is also known as an inventor of how to keep fit.
Japanese Culture and Zen: Various cultures of Japan have been influenced by Zen. For example Chinese poetry, calligraphy, Go (board game), and Japanese Chess, etc. that are following Chinese culture, then Noh, ink painting, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, haiku, and Japanese garden are affected by Zen.
Zen is also affecting the Japanese food customs, greeting manners, and seems to have given a variety of impact on lifestyle.

*Return to A Little Bit about Zen

The Meaning of Zen

Zen is
It seems like that Zen means meditation. The sect of Buddhism which mainly practice Zazen (sitting meditation) in Japan is primarily called "Zen-shu". It is said that Zen is to concentrate and settle mind, or to find Buddha-nature in one's own inside.
Ancient Indian Buddhism and Meditation
In ancient India Buddhism, the priests were reluctant to live in public, and stayed away from the noisy city for the training and practices. The training and meditation methods and concept at that time are still supposed to have big influence to the Zen training now.
China and Zen
It is said that Zen was established in China. Zen in China is supposed to be the fusion of teachings by Dharma Daishi who came from south India and taught in China, Mahayana Buddhism, and China own thoughts such as Confucianism and Taoism.
Japan and Zen
Since Japan has been considered as Buddhist country, there are many Buddhist temples. There is also a considerable number of temples that are classified as Zen. There should be many Zen monks there. Also values and ideas of modern Japanese people are influenced by Zen quite a bit.
To Meditate or Not
What do we do when Zazen? Anyway, we sit down. But how can we do then? Do the trainees always meditate during Zazen? Or, don't they meditate since meditation and Zazen have nothing to do?
Zen and Sitting Forgetting
As you research about Zen, you may find the word "sitting forgetting (坐忘 Zuowang in Chinese, Zabou in Japanese)". So to speak, sitting forgetting can be considered as the process to "forget" and to "throw away" by discarding everything that have caught us, so as to lead to the great enlightenment.

Zen and People

Dharma Daishi
Zen is said founded by Dharma Daishi(or Bodhidharma). Strict training of Zen, Koan - questions for Zen meditation, and Zen dialogues of inexplicable conversations also came from the teachings of Dharma Daishi. Here let's take a look at Dharma Daishi.
Eisai Zenji
Eisai Zenji is considered as the founder of the Rinzai sect of Japan. Although he learned Tendai Esoteric Buddhism by entering the Mount Hiei, he decided to study in Southern Song after witnessing the corruption of the Tendai sect. He learned Zen that had large force in the Southern Song at that time, and spread Zen in Japan.
Dogen Zenji
Dogen Zenji is the person who has given a significant impact on Zen Buddhism in Japan. After becoming priest and studying Tendai teaching, he became to respect Eisai Zenji. He traveled to Southern Song and trained in China Soto Zen temple. Dogen is regarded as the founder of the Soto sect of Japan.
Ikkyu Osho
The priest Ikkyu is a person of the Muromachi period. He is famous for many tales as "witty Ikkyu-san". He wrote some poetry and Kyoka (Japanese comic poem), and he is famous as "insane Zen monk", or "depraved monk" from his paradoxical life.
Takuan Osho
Takuan Osho is a person who lived from Azuchi Momoyama period to the Edo period. He was a monk of the Rinzai sect, became chief priest of Tokai-ji later. He was good at tea ceremony, calligraphy, and poetry. He is known as a radish pickles inventor named Takuan, and a person who tied the Zen and swordsmanship.
D. T. (Daisetsu Teitaro) Suzuki
DT(Daisetsu Teitaro) Suzuki is Japanese who visited United States and wrote many books about Zen. He is especially famous as a person who spread Zen of Japan to United States and Europe by publishing the English books of Zen.

Zen and Health

Zazen and Physical Health
Zazen is not necessarily good for the body. If you would do Zazen for your health, you might be better to stop. Continuing Zazen forcibly may damage the physical and mental health.
Zazen and Mental Health
It is said practicing Zazen will stabilize your spirit and settle your mind. Zazen is considered effective to calm the sick spirit in social life. On the other hand by the Zen training, some could have worn spirit and become a neurosis.
Healthy Diet and Zen
Healthy diet is essential for mental and physical health. Diet if finely defined in Zen since ancient times. Is Zen diet really healthy? Here we take a look at healthy diet and Zen.
Shaolin Kung Fu and One Finger Zen Qigong
Shaolin Monastery where Dharma Daishi did Zazen in the cave is also famous for training of Shaolin Kung Fu. In addition, training methods of Qigong that One Finger Zen Qigong is also said that came from Dharma Daishi. These have relations with Zen at headwaters.
Yoga and Zen
Yoga is a variety of training methods that were born in India. In general, it has been known as the exercise of breathing techniques, various poses, sun worship, etc. Zazen is considered to be originated from a yoga of ancient India.

Zen and Teaching

Teaching by Not Teaching
It may not be an exaggeration to say that the teaching of Zen is "teaching by not teaching". Zen let disciples do painful training, annoy them by surprise, and bug them in the corner until the last minute, so as to teach the importance of "finding by themselves".
Polishing a Tile to Make a Mirror
Training by Zazen is often likened to the "polishing a tile to make a mirror". It says, "If a tile will not become a mirror by polishing, why do you become a Buddha by Zazen training?" Actually, can we make a mirror by polishing a tile?
Nansen Cuts the Cat
"Nansen cuts the cat" is one of the Zen Koan. Since it is famous Koan that has been featured widely, there are a variety of interpretations about it. For example, in Yukio Mishima's novel "Temple of the Golden Pavilion", the interpretation of this koan has become an important theme of the story progression.
Where is Buddha Nature
There is a theory that the Buddha nature are naturally equipped in the human mind. On the other hand, there is also a theory that few people equip Buddha nature, and only those who did training can obtain Buddha nature. Well, where is Buddha nature?
Not Limited to Buddhism
Zen is not intended stay only in Buddhism. Even while it is based on Buddhism, Zen can have influence without having to conflict with any ideas, religions, cultures. As Zen spread to the world, it expand its width.

Zen and Business

Religion and Business
Businesses and religions have had close connections from ancient times. Various religions are prevalent in areas where businesses evolve. If businesses of believers are thriving, donation will increase naturally. If the donation to the religious organization increases, the evangelism will become more active.
Business and Management Philosophy
The future of business will be greatly affected by the management philosophy and its practice. The management philosophy set forth by the manager will affect largely on employees' Willingness to work, trust of customers and society.
Zen, Training and Mental Management
Some companies adopt Zen as the employees training. Also, it is said that Zazen is effective in business people who get stressed and have worries. Here, let's look at Zen, training and mental management.
Law of Cause and Effect
If any result came out in the business, there is always a cause there. The causality to connect the cause and result is sometimes direct and easy to understand. But sometimes it is so complicated for us to understand.
Sea Does not Refuse the Water
Sea is located in the low place. All water will flow to the sea. The sea is big and vast, it does not refuse any water. The sea is so large because it is located in the low place and accepts any water. If you want to attract more customers, if you want to grow the business, learn from the sea.

Zen and Politics

Politicians, People and Zen
Politics is nation building. It is to think how to make the nation not only dealing with the immediate challenges, but also helping to make the future.
State Power and Zen
By age, by region, the relationship between state power and Zen has been changed in various ways. In some ages Zen became very popular in the Asian countries receiving national protection. In some ages Zen declined by persecution and oppression.
Politics and Money
Politics move the big money. Politicians who move the big money are responsible for people's lives. Politicians shall ascertain the cause of making gap between the rich and the poor, and promote good circulation of profits by going up with policy.
Zen and Cult
Part and the training methods of Zen teachings are sometimes used in so-called cult. Zen and the cult should be distinguished, but since there seems some common parts, the boundary between them has become ambiguous.
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the cornerstone of politics in the state. Countries that neglect diplomacy will perish. The objective of diplomacy is our own interests, but it does not mean chasing the short-term profit only. The important thing of diplomacy is to make foreign countries to trust you, and make them to wish following you.
Education for Children
Education for children is a big deal in national policy. National character will vary depending on the content of education to be applied to children. National culture, national intelligence, economic, social order, natural environment and public security will be greatly affected.