Shodo has been intertwined with Zen training for centuries; many historical figures have contributed to this integration; probably most notably, Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi, a prominent Buddhist priest, made significant contributions to Zen Calligraphy. Kukai's cursive style left a lasting mark on Japanese calligraphy and led to the Hiragana syllabary's … [Read more...] about Shodo & Zen
Zen
Zen training aims to free ourselves from the false perception of dualism: the separation of mind and body, self and others, life and death.
Mindfulness: What it means from a Buddhist Perspective
Many people begin Shodo practice because of its mindfulness qualities. The activity of drawing a stroke and composing a Kanji character unifies the mind and body and can bring clarity and relaxation to everyday tasks. We live stressful lives. We have work, family, businesses, relationships, and a gazillion other things in our minds. Because we are always under pressure, we … [Read more...] about Mindfulness: What it means from a Buddhist Perspective
The Mind of Shodo
A few years ago I taught a short Japanese Calligraphy class to college students at Roger Williams University. As a college professor myself, I knew I had to grab the students attention right away, or I would lose their interest. These students did not necessarily have an interest in Japanese Calligraphy; I was a guest instructor in their Asian studies seminar course required … [Read more...] about The Mind of Shodo
Zen in Daily Life
The Zen experience must be direct and in a psychophysical level. We absorb that realization through our bodies, not intellectually with our minds. The methods used to experience this so-called "wisdom" differ, although the most common one is zazen or seated meditation. Any of us who have spent a significant amount of time on the cushion, have had such experience, however … [Read more...] about Zen in Daily Life
How to maintain a consistent Zen meditation practice
Zen meditation practice can have tremendous benefits on your daily life. Taking a moment out of the day to be mindful for a few minutes can help us manage stress, enhance our perception of well-being and become spiritually healthy. Zen is a lifelong practice in which its century-old methods are impossible to exhaust. There are many intensity levels of Zen training. For … [Read more...] about How to maintain a consistent Zen meditation practice