Central to Buddhism is the concept of Buddha, a term often used to refer to the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. While the historical Buddha is an important figure in the Buddhist tradition, there have been and…
In Zen, the concept of Mushotoku represents a state of mind where the spirit does not seek to obtain anything. This is the attitude of a mind that do not get attached to objects and…
Mushin is the essence of Zen and Japanese martial arts. Mushin literally means “empty mind”, and it is commonly called “the state of no-mindedness”. Mushin is at the core of Zen and Japanese martial arts. It…
Fudoshin is the ‘immovable mind’, that is, the mind that has met all challenges of life, and has attained a state of complete composure and fearlessness. This state of equanimity is essential in the practice…
Hishiryo is a state of mind beyond thinking and non-thinking. During the practice of Zazen, it is the normal condition of the consciousness. Consciousness during meditation is not the same as it is in daily life, it…
Zanshin is a concept found in Zen, Budo (Japanese martial arts), particularly Kendo, and in many Japanese arts, such as Ikebana (flower arrangement), chado (the tea ceremony) and sumi-e (ink painting). Simply put, Zanshin is…
Satori or Awakening, is a profound realization of our true nature and the nature of reality. I have always been intrigued by the concept of spiritual awakening, particularly the idea of Satori in Zen Buddhism. Satori refers…