A Brief Note on Zazen

Abstract

A brief note on zazen was originally written by Dr. Tairyu Tsunoda of Komazawa University in Japanese, and then edited and translated into English by Akihiko Masuda and Kayla Sargent. In this chapter, Rev. Tairyu Tsunoda, Roshi of Japan, provides a brief note on the history of zazen (i.e., sitting meditation of Zen) and implications of this practice within behavioral health. In contrast to some of the common misconceptions of zazen practice, such as the zazen posture is designed to promote resilience or achievement of transcendent state of being, Tsunoda Roshi stated that zazen is not for gaining these ends, but that it is simply the dharma gate of joyful ease. More specifically, Tsunoda Roshi states that zazen is to become one with various internal and external stimuli as a whole, as well as to see these stimuli openly and correctly from the standpoint of one’s wisdom (i.e., true self). Tsunoda suggests that doing zazen wholeheartedly is the Buddha Way and describes the history supporting this claim: Gautama Buddha attained the dharma of dependent arising, the Middle Way, and the Four Noble Truths through zazen under the Bodhi tree.

Edited and translated by Akihiko Masuda and Kayla Sargent