zen

The "Zen Bringer"

Zen (or Chan in Chinese) was introduced to China by Bodhidharma, known as the "Zen Bringer," around 527 A.D. He taught Zen to the Shaolin monks as a means of fortifying their minds, bodies, and spirits for battle. The introduction of Zen into Japan dates back to the seventh century, but it was in 1191 that the Rinzai School of Zen, founded by the monk Eisai, became the first official Zen sect in Japan. Bodhidharma emphasized ethical conduct, requiring students to live righteously. This included proper behavior in all aspects of life. 

 

The Buddhist code forbids actions such as killing, stealing, and lying, advocating instead for the love of fellow humans. Thus lies the code for all martial artists: their skills should only be used for self-defense or the preservation of justice. This aligns with the original charter of karate: being an auxiliary to justice.

 

Samurai and No Fear

The philosophy of Zen became popular among the samurai class as it provided them with the mental discipline needed to master the sword skillfully. It also taught them to accept the futility of attachment, otherwise understood as the inevitable loss and death of all earthly things. These insights allowed the samurai to approach combat without fear, replacing it instead with full presence and infinite possibility. The samurai engaged in combat with no thought, ego, or trepidation regarding the outcome. After all, one can only perform their best when they are un-hindered by attachment to what has already happened or fear of what the future may hold.

 

Gichin Funakoshi (considered to be one the fathers of modern day karate) integrated Zen teachings into his practice. A clear example of Zen's influence in karate can be observed in the practice of mokuso (meditation) at the beginning and end of every class. This meditative practice is drawn directly from Zen principles. Additionally, the Dojo Kun recited at the end of class is based on Buddhist teachings, and it seeks to demonstrate Zen's relevance to karate training.

 

Mental discipline is one of the most sought-after benefits of martial arts training. The Zen school emphasizes meditation, or zazen, to strengthen and discipline the mind. By gaining control over the mind, practitioners can suppress attachment to an outcome and instead regulate emotions through moment-to-moment presence. They should experience no anger, pride, pain, or suffering, as these emotions lead to violence, unhappiness, and defeat, which must be avoided. Retraining the mind can be very demanding, pushing individuals to the brink.

 

In Japanese martial arts, the term "mushin" refers to the state of "no mind," which means not identifying who we are with our thoughts. In this state, practitioners can counter swiftly and effectively, trusting their intuitive wisdom. According to Buddhist philosophy, the ability to let go can lead to a harmonious alignment of thought and action. This enables students to respond effectively to challenges and also avoid potential dangers before they arise.

 

Gichin Funakoshi emphasized that emptying the mind also involves letting go of harmful intentions, which requires a spirit of humility. This understanding is why he changed the character of "kara" in the word karate from meaning "China" to meaning "empty." Therefore, karate translates to "empty hand," signifying not only a lack of weapons but also the practice of emptying the mind.