ANINTRODUCTIONTOZEN BUDDHISM
characterofthemonk,oflenendinproducingafinespedmen
ofhumanitycalledafull-fledgedZenmaster.Thisuniquesystem
ofeducation,whichisstillgoingonineveryRinzaiZendo,isnot
verywellknownamongthelaity,althoughthereisatpresentthe
tendencyforthelattertogetasmuchinformationaspossible
ofthelifeintheZenmonastery.Butthemercilesstideofmodem
commercialismandmechanizationisrollingallovertheEast,
sothatadmostnocomersareleftforaquietretreat,andbefore
longeventhissolitaryislandofZenmaybeburiedunderthe
wavesofsordidmaterialism. Even themonksthemselves are
beginning to misunderstand the spirit ofthe early masters.
Thoughwecannotdenythefactthattherearesomethingsin
this monastic education which may beimproved, its highly
religiousand reverentialspirittowardlife andworkmustbe
preservedifZenistoliveatallformanyyearstocome.
Theoretically,Zenenvelopsthewholeuniverseandisnot
boundbytheruleofantithesis.Butthisisaveryslipperyground
andtherearemanywhofailtowalkupright;andwhenthey
ttunblethefallisquitedisastrous.LikesomeofthemedievaJ
mystics,Zenstudentssometimesturnintolibertines,losingall
controlofthemselves;historyisawitnessofsuch,andpsychology
can readilyexplain theprocess ofsuchdegeneration. A Zen
masteroncesaid:"Letaman'sidealriseashighasthecrown
ofVairochana(highestdivinity),butlethislifebesofull of
humilityastobeprostrateevenatthefeetofababy."Thelifein
aZenmonasteryisminutelyregulatedandallthedetailsare
enforcedinstrictobediencetotheabovespirit.Thisiswhathas
savedZenfromsinkingtothelevel ofsomeofthemedieval
mystics,and itiswhytheZendoplayssogreatapartinthe
teachingofZen.
WhenTanka (Tan-hsia) oftheT'angdynastystoppedat
YerinjiintheCapital,itwasseverelycold;sotakingdownone
oftheBuddhaimagesenshrinedthere,hemadeafireofitand
warmedhimself.Thekeeperoftheshrine,seeingthis,wasgreatly
incensed,andexclaimed
:"HowdareyouburnmywoodenimageoftheBuddha?"
Tankabegantosearchintheashesasifhewerelookingfor
something,andsaid
: