Zen became one of main streams of Buddhism in China in 6th century. The form sitting both legs crossed is famous world wide. This style of sitting was not invented in China. It was there since Yoga in India. This sitting form was used by Chinese priest, Daruma, in 6th century, who started Zen. It was said that he was against King that time and put in the jail. He kept himself sitting for 9 years and lost both arms and legs, but he gained ultimate status of mind and opened his Buddhism, Zen.Left Image - Daruma who started Zen practice of Buddhism.
Source Wikipedia Japanese version
Public Domain
Zen teaches people that anybody can reach to ultimate status of mind if one trains himself. Kung-Fu started from Zen. Zen style meditation started from this Buddhism. Because it asks people train themselves, this was well adopted by Samurai people in Japan in 15th - 17th century. It is under Zen philosophy Samurai believed to die or to live should have same meaning if meaningful.
Although Zen was well adopted and known by people all over the world by its powerful meditation practices, there is a part of Zen, which is not well known. It is brain training. If you are interested in Asian Philosophy, you might have heard "Everything is Nothing and Nothing is Everything". It is hard to understand even for Asians like me who tried to adopt Karate, Kendo, Martial Arts Trainings based on Zen Spirit. It sounds contradictory, sometimes des not make sense, but sometimes contains truth.
Still sometimes there are interesting philosophy which makes me think in depth and length. One of them is saying "The real strong is not strong because of his strength, but because of his weakness".
As said it is not easy to analyze and explain, but I do my best for coming several posts to let you touch upon Zen spirit.
Check my websites to find out what I am doing:
http://vur.me/shawfunami/main
http://vur.me/shawfunami/SF
http://vur.me/shawfunami/zi
Feel free to contact me:
shaw@zhenintl.ws
Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link
6 comments:
Hi Shaw .. I didn't know that was how Zen started .. that's really interesting .. amazing strength of mind.
I'll be really interested in seeing your next posts and learning more about brain training.
Many thanks - Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Dear Hilary,
It is interesting for me, too, to explorer what I did not know to write an article. Maybe you feel same way in your blog. I will continue to write about this. So, please keep coming back!
Thank you for your comment.
Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link
Hello Shaw,
Thank you for your post on the history of Zen! Controlling the mind is extremely important to achieving goals.
If you can control your mind you can direct it to focus on supposedly inpossible tasks!
I will keep tuned to your next post! Thank you for your post!
Pete Baca
The Car Enthusiast Online
Hi Pete,
As you pointed, Zen is an art of controlling our mind. I feel it stands strong on the very sensitive balance. I will explain one by one as my post goes.
Thank you for your comment.
Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link
Hi Shaw,
Enlightening post! We look forward to learning more from you.
Many Blessings....
Roxanne and Hugo ~ Believe Achieve
Hi Hugo and Roxanne,
Thank you for your comment. Zen provides people some pillar main support of life. That is why I am interested. That is why attracting so many people. I am studying about it again myself by posting. This way both you and I can be benefitted.
Thanks again,
Shaw Funami
Fill he Missing Link
Post a Comment