THE STORY OF
ZEN
Zen began in India as a Buddhist discipline and was
brought to China by a sage called Bodhidharma.
Zen came to Japan around the end of the 1100s and quickly evolved beyond
the belief system of Buddhism, to influence the way of thinking, their behavior
and aesthetics. Zen gave expression to
many forms of cultural life. Genyu
Sokyu, Zen monk and author, says Zen is "Strict yet easygoing". Two seemingly contradictory approaches. What springs to your mind when you hear the
word, “Zen”? Actually, Zen is dynamic
and free.
Zen developed in China in two discreet sects before
coming to Japan. The Northern School (Hokushuzen)
spoke of doctrine and asceticism and the southern school (Nanshuzen)stressed a
relaxed approach to oneself over doctrine. At first, the southern approach was initially accepted and then the northern
approach was incorporated over time.
Diversity
In lies the acceptance of two ways, “Ryoko”. The concept originally developed in Chinese
Taoist classic, “Zhuangzi”. It suggests
instead of looking at life in absolute terms; it is more effective to consider
its opposite; placing one in relation to the other. This way of thinking became very popular.
Shinto
Long before, Buddhism’s arrival, the Japanese believed
in life in all things animate and inanimate and honored it with various
rituals. Chanting, sound vibration and
water purification were just some of the preparation on our paths of
development.
The Japanese openness towards diverse values prepared
the way for acceptance of Zen’s both sides.
Belief in our Inner Nature
The answer lies in Zen’s belief that every human being
is endowed with an original nature at birth that is self-contained. It does not require the pursuit of something
extraneous. And since humans are born
with an innate Buddhahood (the potential to become a Buddha or an Awakened
One). Instead, one was directed to look
inside themselves. However, our true
nature is wrapped inside an ego. It is
our Mind that is trapped inside an illusion that the ego has created by
knowledge and experience. To uncover our
inner nature; one must work at transforming your mind and unwrap our true
nature.
Chinese and Japanese Medicine
Chinese and Japanese Medicine
Buddhist Monks brought The Yellow Emperor’s Guide to
Internal Medicine
The Yellow Emperor’s guide treated organ energy
channels which today we call acupuncture or acupressure lines. There are five distinct regional areas in
China. Each geographic area was treated
differently to be effective.Acupressure was highly effective for regions in Japan and they adopted this practice. Chinese Acupressure then evolved into Japanese Shiatsu (Shi=finger, Atsu=pressure). Then in 1972; Shizuto Masanuga added Zen to Shiatsu. There is acupressure line stretching whilst applying deep pressure on the acupressure points. This activates a deep internal nervous system within us. Complete homeostasis is accomplished while flushing these lines of congestion and tension. In other words, a complete body reset.
Zen Shiatsu is gentle and effective, not painful like Chinese acupressure can be. Zen Shiatsu is preventative medicine at its best. The Japanese received Shiatsu once a month to effectively prevent illness.
