The Joys of Buddist Practice

Lately, I’ve been reading a couple books that I have been enjoying. The first is Rev. Kosho Uchiyama’s book Opening the Hand of Thought which provides a nice introduction to Soto Zen, one of three branches of Zen in Japan. Most people usually pick Suzuki Roshi’s Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind book first¹ because it’s famous, but I think Kosho’s book is a much less obtuse introduction. I love Suzuki Roshi’s book, but it tends to be kind mystical and assumes you’re familiar with Buddhist vocab, while Kosho’s book is pretty much a beginner book.

Anyways, Kosho’s book does a nice job for me clarifying how to approach zazen, and how not to get hung up on trying to accomplish anything. I found this quotation helpful:

Doing correct zazen means taking the correct posture and entrusting everything to it.

I mention this because lately I’ve been getting stressed and flustered again over a few things, including Buddhism. Old-time readers know this happens to me from time to time when I get too caught up on expecting results, and concerned for the future too much. So last night I was reading another book by Rev. Ogui of the Jodo Shinshu organization the Buddhist Churches of America, called Zen Shin Talks which is something I read a few months back and really enjoyed. This is still one of my most favorite Buddhist books, as it weaves both Zen and Jodo Shinshu Buddhism together.

Recently, I wrote a review of that book where I quoted from Rev. Ogui:

Choose One Small Practice

People struggle to build up spiritual securities and happiness. They put energy into learning from different religious traditions. Sometimes people attend workshops and seminars. They spend time and money in this way. They keep attending and learning. Actually they don’t have to keep doing this.

Instead, choose one small practice and keep reflecting on it and doing it. Then you will understand everything. For example, in Christianity you are told to “love your neighbor”. Sincerely practice this and observe yourself when you see how difficult it is. From there, a spiritual gate will open up for you.

In another chapter, Rev. Ogui comments how people talk about Buddhism a lot, but often don’t practice it:

A large number of people call me on the telephone and say such things as, “I read a book on Zen meditation and I want to learn it,” or “I’m impressed with Buddhist teaching and I want to learn more about it.” Many of these people talk a lot, read a lot, plan a lot, but they never come to practice. Talking, planning, thinking, knowing are completely different from doing.

So, a lot of people interested in Buddhism fail to appreciate how important practice is over knowledge.

So, when I read this from Rev. Ogui after doing dishes last night, I decided, “ok, rather than stressing out about this, I’ll just sit for a little meditation, and just trust zazen like Rev. Kosho says“.

And that’s what I did. I just sat in meditation, without even bothering with a timer, or whether I “meditated enough”. I think I meditated about 10 minutes or so, but that’s not the point. I tend to get hung up on the idea that if I don’t meditate enough, I won’t accomplish anything, so this time I just trusted the zazen posture that Rev. Kosho said, and just sat.

Rev. Ogui is right. We tend to intellectualize Buddhism to much, contriving to gain something from it. Why do people spend so much money on meditation retreats and books? To gain something. Release from stress, inner peace, enlightenment and so on. Somehow, their minds are looking outward to things that will fix the the perceived lack in their minds.

However, I am reminded of Bencho’s saying from Jodo Shu Buddhism that:

People maintain that the best place for a life of retirement is the Kokawa Temple or Mount Koya [in Japan]. But as for me, there is nothing to compare with the bed from which I rise every morning.

Just make use of what you have, trust it, and don’t get expecting any gain from it. If you imagine yourself becoming an enlightened being, as opposed to what you are now, you’re missing the point entirely.

Namu Kanzeon Bosatsu
Namu Amida Butsu

P.S. This is not limited to Japanese Buddhism either. Ven. Sister Vamaya of the Theravada tradition has a nice Dharma talk about extinguishing the sparks ignited in our minds through practice and meditation.

¹ That was my first book on Buddhism 15 years ago when I was 16. Didn’t understand it at all, beyond the first chapter or two on meditation. There’s such a flood of Buddhist resources now in the West, but they’re not very systematic and organized. Frankly, I think most people are better off visiting temple first, and then reading about it later. Otherwise, it’s like putting the cart before the horse.