What is spirituality or religion? What is life? By seeing the two as separate things, we create a dualistic view and feel one is separate from another.
As Katagiri Roshi puts it,
down to the marrow of your bones.
True practice, as defined by many masters such as Thich Nhat Hanh, Katagiri Roshi, and Dogen Zenji, is total unification of the both. In other words life is spirituality, and spirituality is life. This is living a true spiritual life.
This idea isn't just for monks and priests, but for anybody who claims they are spiritual, Buddhist, Christian, etc. Pardon my words, but what is the point of a half-ass practice?
To see the true rewards of practice, this is what must be done; a complete unifying of life and practice. The Buddha and all Bodhisattvas were only human and they were able to do this. Saints of other practices have also realized this.
rcz.org
What are ways we as Buddhists can achieve this? A continuation of practice. Zazen/meditation, daily sutras and chanting, and living mindfully. I believe this is also one of the reasons that there is The Noble Eightfold Path. Of course it may not happen immediately if you are new to Buddhism, but always keep the words of the teachers and masters who have said the same thing as I have here and you will surely be able to live a truly spiritual-life.
The Shaolin Code is an ancient code of ethics taught to all Shaolin monks. This code is great for a marital artist, but also great for a Buddhist. With a little tweak of the words, it perfectly matches what every Buddhist should live by. I'll give the original translation, then the "tweaked" version so you can see the connection for yourself. Original: Remain disciplined: uphold yourself ethically as a martial artist. Courtesy and righteousness: serve the community and honor your family. Respect your fellow students: be united and avoid conflicts. Curb your desires and pursuit of bodily desires: preserve your proper spirit. Train diligently and make it a habit: maintain your skills Strive to develop spiritual tranquility: abstain from arguments and fights. Coordinate in society: be conservative, cultured and gentle in your manners. Protect the weak and very young: use your martial skill for the good of humanity Maintain the tradition: preserve this Chinese art and its Rules of Conducts.
Now with a little adaptation to this code, here's how I believe it connects to Buddhism with only a little switch of the terms. "Buddhist Version": Remain disciplined: uphold yourself ethically as a Buddhist. (uphold the precepts) Courtesy and Righteousness: Serve the community (Sangha and all beings) and honor your family (teachers/lineage) Respect your fellow students: be united and avoid conflicts (not much else needs to be changed here- learn from each other and keep an open mind) Curb your desires and pursuit of bodily pleasures: preserve your proper spirit (again, not much needs changing here- keep the precepts and preserve your path of the Way) Train diligently and make it a habit: maintain your skills (Continue your practice and meditation regularly, make it a part of you) Strive to develop spiritual tranquility: abstain from arguments and fights. (Keep a tranquil mind and practice compassion) Coordinate in society: be conservative, cultured and gentle in your manners. (Compassion again plays a major role here, also, teach people on their various levels) Protect the weak and very young: use your martial skill for the good of humanity (The practice is Buddhism is for all beings, we don't only practice for ourselves) Maintain the tradition: preserve this Chinese art and its Rules of Conducts. (Teach those who do not know the Way and uphold its precepts diligently)
The phrase "Eating Bitter" is a term commonly used in China, particularly in practing Gung Fu or martial arts. Its definition lies in the belief that through hard work and pain, success and strength are the result. There is a Chinese proverb which states, "You cannot know sweetness until you have eaten bitterness."
Learning martial arts, especially in a traditional sense, is not easy. The body and the mind are often pushed to limits which are quite uncomfortable. The teacher may break you down to rebuild you into something new, and your body will be bruised, bleeding and sprained. Through this we may know discipline and end up befriending it, learning from it, and using it in our daily life. Not unlike what the military does to us.
In Gung Fu and Taiji, the forms are meant to be "moving meditation," entering what is known by Buddhists as Samadhi. Samadhi is becoming one with the practice, focusing the entire mind on one thing. This is not easy, but that's why it is a practice. The martial arts, I understand, are not for everybody, but there are many lessons from the practice that can be applied to life.
We as people "eat bitter" often in our daily lives. Our jobs may become intensely difficult, our home life may become stressful, and so forth. We learn from suffering, and value the sweetness of the lesson. Suffering brings enlightenment.
Ok, so I know in my last post I spoke about monastic life not being the way to go. Well, with some discussions with loved ones and internal contemplation, that view may have changed.
In the next couple of weeks, I will be visiting a monastery for a couple of months, to see what it's like.
It definitely will not be easy. Getting up at 4:30 am, meditating in 40 minute intervals four times a day, doing work, and constantly studying. "Why am I doing this?," you may ask.
I need to make some serious changes in my life, and through inner contemplation, I feel this is very much needed. Not a desire or want, just plain required.
So, (hoping they have Internet access), my future posts after June 15th may be form there. If not, well, I will be back online after my stay.
Amituofo to all.
Many associate martial artists with being violent. This is so untrue. True martial arts is a practice of self discipline and control. As always, a true warrior can make a friend of an enemy.
So why would a peaceful Buddhist want to practice martial arts? Well, there are a many factors. Martial arts is a great way of teaching oneself self discipline, and training the mind. When training the body, we also train the mind. Constantly focusing and being mindful of the body has many benefits not only in a martial aspect, but also of health. The ultimate goal is achieving 'No-Mind." Zen or mushin.
Martial arts, at an advanced level, incorporates the involvement of Qi or Ki. The energy believed to be within us all, that also binds us all together. Martial arts is an excellent way of focusing Qi (Chi), into various parts of the body for healing, balance, and strength. Being mindful of our bodies and our Qi gives us better communication with that "inner self," as well as others.
As far as action movies loaded with lots of violence, even involving martial arts, I'm not a fan. Though I do collect rare Martial Arts movies from China and Japan, I tend to stick with the ones that have a good moral message or a message about training.
It is my hope that folks don't associate martial artists as violent people, (the ones who truly practic The Way), but rather as peaceful people who know when to act upon a situation when called for. Whether it be something as small as making a decision, or as important as saving your life.
One of the best benefits I have gained from practicing martial arts is self motivation. I'll be honest, in my early 20s, I hated working. I called in all the time, didn't show up at all...you get the idea.
But since my martial training has become more serious in the last few years, I always find myself "testing myself, " to push through that laziness or lack of motivation. And it really has paid off. My current job is physically demanding. Plus it's helping me with strength training, building muscle, and I'm secluded, so techniques can be practiced on my downtime. ;)
But why would practicing martial arts make you more self motivated? Self Discipline. A true martial artist doesn't just practice when he's at the "dojo." He tempers his mind and body daily, at every chance possible. Whether it's against the rigors of daily life, the heavy bag, shadow boxing, or real confrontations (mental and physical).
The discipline of motivation doesn't only apply to work either. It applies to the training itself, to the home, the family, anything really. If one looks deep enough, virtually any activity can be used to train oneself, be it physically or mentally. There are no waves without a wind.
The following video is of Shaolin monks training in a variety of techniques. Enjoy. Amituofo.
I'm not going to be contrasting or bashing other religions here, but the Catholic tradition of Lent is in progress right about this time. Giving up something for forty days.
So, giving up something which is not good for us, as well as spending time on "quiet reflection and contemplation".... don't we as Buddhists try to practice these same things everyday? Well, nobody is perfect, we all have our vices, and if you were to be perfect, well...you'd be a Buddha.
Now, I respect the observation of Lent if you're going to give up something to totally rid your life of it (i.e. smoking, drinking, sexual misconduct, etc). But many people I speak to often say, "I'm giving up chocolate" or "I'm giving up shopping" for forty days. This kind of boggles me. Why only forty days? Why wouldn't you want to give up a negative aspect of your life or character to get rid of it permanently?
Or better yet, practice "giving up" all year round from year to year?
From Wiki: "Jesus retreated into the wilderness, where he fasted for forty days, and was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-2, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-2). He overcame all three of Satan's temptations by citing scripture to the devil, at which point the devil left him, angels ministered to Jesus, and he began his ministry. Jesus further said that his disciples should fast "when the bridegroom shall be taken from them" (Matthew 9:15), a reference to his Passion. Since, presumably, the Apostles fasted as they mourned the death of Jesus, Christians have traditionally fasted during the annual commemoration of his burial."
This passage reminds me very much of when Siddhartha (The Buddha) was meditating under the Bodhi tree and being tempted by Mara. And this biblical passage, I believe, is to teach those who faithfully follow Christ, to resist all things worldly, day to day, year to year. As the passage from James 4:4 reads, "A friend of the world is an enemy to God." (Speaking of all worldly things and desires).
So am I celebrating "Lent"? Well, I try to everyday, resisting temptations and being mindful that the things I want may have consequences, and that everything is impermanent, so I don't really need anything at all.
In the end, why not use the time to better yourself, or better the world?
I'm currently reading The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu, which I am enjoying throughly. It gives a great background the the many forms of Kung Fu, or more respectively known as, quanfa, (q=ch, as in chanfa, art of the fist). The book reminds me of a philosophy I once learned before.
Many people associate Kung Fu with high kicks, forms imitating animal behavior and two-finger handstands, though that's not at all what Kung Fu is about. In fact, Kung Fu is almost a double standard. When you tell people you "know Kung Fu" they will either ridicule you or think you can break bricks with your hands, though it's usually the former.
Many also associate Kung Fu with games like Mortal Kombat or Jackie Chan movies. Though Jackie Chan is a master of Northern styles, there are over 1,000 styles of the art originating in China, differing from family traditions to regional traditions. All of the forms of Quanfa have their origins from the Shaolin Monastery.
So, what really is Kung Fu? Directly translated from Chinese, it means "perfection." Perfection of what? Perfection of you! Kung Fu is more of a philosophy which derived from a martial art.
From your thoughts, your actions, to your relationships, Kung Fu is not just about punches, kicks, and back-flips. It's a way of life, no different from the Japanese Bushido (Way of the Samurai). Its philosophies derive from Buddhist and Taoist scriptures, and are in fact, very intertwined.
(And please don't assume all Buddhists or Taoists are martial artists and vise versa)
But why would a Buddhist or Taoist want to harm another through martial arts? We don't want to. Does a thorn from a rose not protect itself from those who want its blossom? One of the laws of Shaolin monks is to NEVER kill. We as humans can defend ourselves, but should never kill. Martial arts are to be used to cease or subdue conflict, to bring peace. The other reason of practicing the art is one of self preservation and self discipline. Kung Fu is beneficial to health, longevity, cultivating Chi, and moral behavior.
Technically, you don't even have to be a martial artist to practice literal "Kung Fu." Kung Fu can be in the writer, the painter, or the car mechanic. It's ultimately about perfecting what you do and how you do it. The martial artist, then, technically practices Quanfa, while utilizing the philosophy of Kung Fu.
So now you know the true meaning of Kung Fu/Gung Fu. Below is a great interview with legendary Bruce Lee discussing some of these points:
A martial art is the art of martial combat of course. Dating back thousands of years, it has been developed in every culture as a way of defense, strategy, and self improvement.
I personally believe in and follow the way of a warrior rather than a fighter. What differentiates the two you may ask. It is the purpose behind the actions.
A warrior will fight for their safety when attacked, to protect others in danger, for survival, etc. A fighter fights for fame, money, power, and things of the like. I do believe sparring is a crucial way of testing your skills and provides ways to improve them. MMA fighters are testing their skill against one another, but to what end? A proof of power, or control; for money and fame?
The true purpose of martial arts is to make a way for peace. The true warrior makes a friend of a foe, convinces the attacker to change his ways, and uses physical contact only if absolutely needed. Martial arts is not only physical, but just as equally mental. Likewise, why humans fight wars is beyond me and makes no sense.
Is one art better than the other? Does winning a competition make one a better person? To both of these questions, I sincerely answer: NO
It may be that I'm a practitioner of and believer in the the philosophy of classical martial arts. Or maybe it's my religious beliefs; that craving fame and money do nothing more than cause one to suffer if they can't have it.
With all these competitions, I see martial arts being used in the wrong way. Holding these matches which are now so popular is, to me, nothing different then having 'cock-fights' or 'dog-fights.'
As a martial artist, I do not wish to be compared or likened to these who compete. I am a warrior.
Martial arts, at an advanced level, incorporates the involvement of Qi or Ki. The energy believed to be within us all, that also binds us all together. Martial arts is an excellent way of focusing Qi (Chi), into various parts of the body for healing, balance, and strength. Being mindful of our bodies and our Qi gives us better communication with that "inner self," as well as others.
So, giving up something which is not good for us, as well as spending time on "quiet reflection and contemplation".... don't we as Buddhists try to practice these same things everyday? Well, nobody is perfect, we all have our vices, and if you were to be perfect, well...you'd be a Buddha. 
A warrior will fight for their safety when attacked, to protect others in danger, for survival, etc. A fighter fights for fame, money, power, and things of the like. I do believe sparring is a crucial way of testing your skills and provides ways to improve them. MMA fighters are testing their skill against one another, but to what end? A proof of power, or control; for money and fame?