NOBODY MASTERS ZEN
I'm gonna start using this blog as footnotes to my articles, stuff that's not a big deal enough to make a whole article about, but that might need to be addressed somehow.
ANYWAY, in my first article I said that I was what the writers from the old Kung Fu TV series called a "Zen Master." There really is no such thing as a "Zen Master." In the words of my first teacher's teacher, Kobun Chino, "Nobody masters Zen!" As near as I've been able to determine, the term is a bad translation of the Japanese word "zenji." This just means "Zen teacher" and is generally applied to a monk who has been given permission by his teacher to teach in what is called a "Dharma Transmission" ceremony.
I was attempting to use the term ironically. I think there's too much mystical stuff attached to people who've become Zen teachers. Not usually by the teachers themselves, but in cultural terms, generally from people who haven't got a clue in the world about Zen. I wouldn't ever seriously call myself a "Zen Master." I'm using it more to say, "Look, even a twerp like me can get this title, so stop thinking it's something magnificent and mystical."
I'm gonna start using this blog as footnotes to my articles, stuff that's not a big deal enough to make a whole article about, but that might need to be addressed somehow.
ANYWAY, in my first article I said that I was what the writers from the old Kung Fu TV series called a "Zen Master." There really is no such thing as a "Zen Master." In the words of my first teacher's teacher, Kobun Chino, "Nobody masters Zen!" As near as I've been able to determine, the term is a bad translation of the Japanese word "zenji." This just means "Zen teacher" and is generally applied to a monk who has been given permission by his teacher to teach in what is called a "Dharma Transmission" ceremony.
I was attempting to use the term ironically. I think there's too much mystical stuff attached to people who've become Zen teachers. Not usually by the teachers themselves, but in cultural terms, generally from people who haven't got a clue in the world about Zen. I wouldn't ever seriously call myself a "Zen Master." I'm using it more to say, "Look, even a twerp like me can get this title, so stop thinking it's something magnificent and mystical."
VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
zef:
I've read a few entries from your blog and now these posts here. Your comments on the proper seating posture for practicing meditation were very insightful. It was a nice slap in the face wake up to how I live my life. It hasn't produced tremendous affects yet, but I am getting there. Particularly the statement that went something along the lines of "if you are too overweight to manage the lotus position, perhaps you should lose weight" or something to that affect. Your straightforwardness is very much appreciated thank you.
phantasy:
I can't wait to read your book!