Those who embrace mild and ethereal Zen should contemplate that the samurai who spent much of their lives in frightening and gory battles took Zen to their hearts.

Having reached Satori, and suffered the pain of death and rebirth, I share with you some adages, secret writings, proverbs, maxims, quotes, and ordinary expressions to challenge your thinking and, if read at a leisurely pace and given some concentration, enhance your existence.  Please understand that I present to you a paraphrased, contradictory, extremely interpreted, simplification of the lengthily and circuitous route that can lead to Satori or enlightenment.

Satoru

The goal of Buddhism

The goal of Buddhism is to reach enlightenment (Nirvana) by extinguishing all the fires of craving. And/or embrace the divine (Satori) by being in the perfect now.

On the way to tranquility the seeker gains insight and learns through the Dhammapada, hundreds of discourses, sayings and precepts, the way of truth.  The master believed that the softer side of religion was impractical, in this day and age of rapid change and alienation, and led to inner conflict so he emphasized the real over the ephemeral.  Also, since he was Japanese he emphasized the Zen of his culture (existence and mood) and the Zen Buddhism of his teachings. He also asserted that, “The Zen of medieval Japan is as much use to us as a rusty old sword.”

Happiness and openness come from our own contented heart.

Satoru