Zen words is The best word  Koun Ryusui

2023年8月17日

Zen is difficult. Zen word is also difficult. That’s why I interpret it as I please. I think that’s fine. Enou Zenji, Dogen Zenji, Ikkyu-san, and Ryokan-san are likely to say, “That’s fine, that’s fine. Let it be.

Today is “ Koun Ryusu"

Clouds go, water flows. Let it be

In the 11th century, China had a famous calligrapher named Su Shi among the bureaucrats of the Northern Song Dynasty. Su Shi taught his disciple Xie Minshi, “When writing calligraphy, let the brush flow naturally, like the clouds in the sky and the water in the river." It is important to run the brush without thinking about writing well or wanting to be evaluated by others. From this teaching, the Zen word Koun Ryusui was born (XieMinshi shuikan yosho).

Just imagining the sight of passing clouds and flowing water makes me feel lighter. We would be happy if I could float freely like a cloud. It would be fun if it flowed freely like water. But people can’t be like that. I always have many problems. Will I be able to pass the exam tomorrow? Will I be able to pay off the loan this month? How to make up for the income that has decreased due to Corona, far from being free, I’m just caught up in worries.

As I walk with my worries, white clouds drift in the sky and the cool sound of water echoes from the nearby river. Even if I try to let myself go naturally, my worries won’t go away. By then the sky will be cloudy. The river doesn’t tell me the solution to my troubles. It’s natural, but I’m depressed about what to do.

When in doubt, look up at the sky again. Listen to the sounds of the river. The clouds drift calmly along with the wind. River water hits rocks and stones and finds a place to flow. The flow never stops.

Just as clouds have a destination and water has a path, there is always a solution to all problems. My obsession is too strong, and I can’t see the solution. Like clouds and water, if you surrender yourself to nature, you will find the answer.

We cannot be free like clouds and water. However, if you look at the white clouds flowing leisurely, or the water flowing freely in the river, you will have a peace of mind. Row clouds running water. Let go and let nature take its course.

In such a case, let’s look at the sky and the river again. The clouds drift calmly along with the wind. Water hits rocks and stones and finds a place to flow. Clouds and streams never stop.

Just as clouds have a flowing sky, and water has a flowing path, so there is always a solution to all problems. I’m so obsessed with it that I can’t see it. If you let yourself go with the flow like clouds or water, you should find the answer.

People can’t be free like clouds or water, but if you look at the white clouds flowing leisurely or the water flowing freely in the river, you will have a peace of mind. Gyokumo Ryusui, throw away your prejudices and try to be natural.

Let nature take its course

He went to China and spent five years studying Buddhism in zazen, but there was nothing about Buddhism. However, the person’s eyes are two side by side and his nose is vertical, which I have clearly seen. No matter who says it, I’m not fooled. See the world as it is, as it is. There was no other Buddhist mystery other than this

Dogen Zenji from Rinko Net

“There was no Buddhism, all I knew was two eyes and a vertical nose," Dogen Zenji told his disciples. Dogen Zenji is a high priest who founded the Soto sect in the Kamakura period. He says there is no Buddhism. His disciples must have been amazed. His eyes are two side by side and his nose is vertical. This fact is beyond doubt.

This is a natural appearance. Buddhism is man-made and has no substance. He teaches that rather than worrying about Buddhism, you can learn a lot by looking at the world as it is, and that Buddhism exists in nature.

Su Shi and Dogen Zenji teach the importance of natural posture. It is important to let nature take its course, like the clouds in the sky or the water in the river.

Posted by 街の樹