Talk

The search for Satori

My innate mistrust of the organizational trappings of religion has always kept me wary of any classifications or scriptures. When I started studying Zen Buddhism this kept me away from reading the sutras or exploring the more "hokey" tantric branches of this philosophy.

However now I think it might be useful to explore the more formal Zen philosophy in order to learn from it. Zen has come to mean different things to different people. The most dominant view is that of bompu Zen. Bompu Zen is focussed on helping people control their mind and as a consequence lead better lives. The quest for the meaning of life is not the goal of Bompu. Gedo Zen deals with the psycho-kinetic forces and the cultivation of Joriki.

The Zen that hits closest to home is Shojo Zen which in some ways fits with the objectivist philosophy of life. Shojo (or small vehicle) is all about you using Zen to get to your destination viz figuring out the meaning of life.

Daijo and Shaijo Zen deal with true enlightenment and the Zazen aspect of it. Satori is the experience of enlightenment (a deeper feeling than kensho, which is also enlightenment). You continue to experience different satori till you achieve true enlightenment. It is at that point that you have achieved Nirvana or Nibbana. The important point to note that zazen(sitting meditation) or kinhin(walking meditation) are but means to get there. There are several koans explaining how we must always be mindful even when not in zazen.

How do we get there from here? Continue practising in order to achieve Satori. It will eventually take you there. The beauty of Satori is that once you experience it you cannot choose to go away from it. It makes too much sense. As the soto sect of Zen buddhism says, we all have buddha nature within us. Satori exposes it to us and we go on the path. The practice can be hard and troublesome.

The movie Why did bodhidharma come from the West? explored the extent of physical hardship monks will subject themselves in order to achieve enlightenment. It is ironic because satori comes not from striving for it but when letting go of expectations of getting it. Simmer down, settle down. It will come. Seek it not like a drowning man grasps at reeds. Let it encompass you like wind does a cliff. It flows through you and becomes one with you and you suddenely find yourself in another place. You see you seeing you and then you smile at seeing you, seeing you.

Introduction to Zen Buddhism by D.T.Suzuki
Zen Enlightenment