zen, martial arts in general
I had thought to post on this thread earlier, but it was a crazy day. I got home, and found out there was more to do, so it is 10:30 and I just finished getting some information an documents off to an attorney covering a hearing for me in another city - so I am tired and still have to go work out!
Just a few random thoughts, though. I have been doing Japanese martial arts for a long time - started Japanese karate in 1973, still plugging away at it. I guess I was shooting seriously before I got any deeper into Japanese arts, but around 1990 I started studying both Zen (Soto school) and Japanese sword arts. I continue in Zen practice as well as training in and teaching both a gendai (modern, formed after the Meiji Restoration) and Koryu (classical sword style).
A couple of things:
- There is a lot of "Zen and_______" and "the Zen of ____" stuff around - it sounds cool, but is unrelated to Zen or the east
- The actual correlation between the samurai and Zen practice is fairly controversial
"Understanding" in this area is fairly complex. Popular media produces a lot of ideas and images. Still, many Japanese writers, including some well-known academics, support the view that Zen was an important facet of the samurai's mental training. The historical truth is more likely that the pairing of Zen and the practice of the Japanese warrior class comes very late in history.
During most of Japan's history, the average warrior was more likely to practice one of the forms of esoteric Buddhism, such as today's Shingon or Tendai sects. As a matter of fact, few schools of Japanese koryu have any association with Zen. The Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, mentioned above in connection with Yagyu Munenori and
The Unfettered Mind is an exception, as is the school I study under, Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo.
A lot of the perception in this area is more likely due to projection by Westerners; for example, Herrigels
Zen and the Art of Archery , while a wonderful book in it's way, has largely been debunked as descriptive of mainstream or actual Japanese kyudo practice:
http://www.nanzan-u.ac.jp/SHUBUNKEN/publications/jjrs/pdf/586.pdf
On the other hand, any number of academic articles by Japanese scholars expound on the Zen – Budo connection. As I said, this is a controversial subject, about which there is a tremendous amount of academic material available.
Where does that leave us? I think it is up to the individual to determine both what lessons they learn and how they apply them to their lives. For me, I have been studying the Japanese way, both generally and as applied to Japan’s martial culture, for many years. Unlike many Japanese sword schools, both of the sword arts I train in are “live blade” arts – practitioners use a live steel blade in most facets of training*. This produces an awareness that even a slight misstep will result in consequences – potentially serious consequences. The training, as is the Japanese fashion, is very, very precise. In inheriting the art in a line of succession one thing we do is try to understand the mindset of the men who practiced this art in a time when personal combat was a daily possibility.
How does this translate to CCW? No, I am not a ninja wannabe – I am a 53 year old trial lawyer/college professor/martial arts instructor. I find tremendous parallels in honing the precise physical movements – whether presenting the sword or presenting the firearm. Lets face it – the Japanese have a definite way when it comes to perfecting subtle physical actions. Trying to find the calm but intense, focused state when acting. On the other hand, I am not going the Herrigel route of “Zen and Trying to Hit Stuff” as a means of spiritual seeking or practice. Or trying to adopt the mindset of the feudal era Japanese of samurai class – remember, it is historically correct that the bushi, or warrior could and often did, kill over insults or breaches of the intricate rituals of Japanese etiquette.
*Of course, a clear similarity with shooting can be seen here. Just as I “need” multiple firearms of the same model in the same caliber, I don’t have a katana. I have roughly 15 katana, several wakizashi (short sword) and several tanto (knife size), mostly custom, as well as tons of other equipment, and a small collection of Scottish, Irish and Viking edged weapons, shields, etc!