Just before Ninakawa passed away the Zen master Ikkyu visited him. "Shall I lead you on?" Ikkyu asked. Ninakawa replied: "I came here alone and I go alone. What help could you be to me?" Ikkyu answered: "If you think you really come and go, that is your delusion. Let me show you the path on which there is no coming and no going." With his words, Ikkyu had revealed the path so clearly that Ninakawa smilled and passed away. Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Blog | Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu | Ted... Read Full Story
In the early days of the Meiji era there lived a well-known wrestler called O-nami, Great Waves. O-nami was immensely strong and knew the art of wrestling. In his private bouts he defeated even his teacher, but in public he was so bashful that his own pupils threw him. O-nami felt he should go to a Zen master for help. Hakuju, a wandering teacher, was stopping in a little temple nearby, so O-nami went to see him and told him of his trouble. "Great Waves is your name," the teacher advised... Read Full Story
Unaware of illusion or enlightenment, From this stone I watch the mountains, Hear the stream. A three-day rain has cleansed the earth, A roar of thunder split the sky. Ever serene are linked phenomena, And though the mind's alert, it's but an ash heap. Chilly as the dusk I move through, I return, a basket brimmed with peaches on my arm. - Genko (?– 1505) Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Read Full Story
At night deep in the mountains, I sit in meditation The affairs of men never reach here; Everything is quiet and empty All the incense has been swallowed up By the endless night. My robe has become a garment of dew. Unable to sleep I walk out into the woods Suddenly, above the highest peak, The full moon appears. - Ryokan Taigu (1758-1831) Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Read Full Story
Upon the clatter of a broken tile All I had learned was at once forgotten. Amending my nature is needless; Pursuing the tasks of everyday life I walk along the ancient path. I am not disheartened in the mindless void. Wherever I go I leave no footprint, Walking without color or sound. - Chikan Zenji Indianapolis Bujutsu Dojo Read Full Story
In Tokyo in the Meiji era there lived two prominent teachers of opposite characteristics. One, Unsho, an instructor in Shingon, kept Buddha's precepts scrupulously. He never drank intoxicants, nor did he eat after eleven o'clock in the morning. The other teacher, Tanzan, a professor of philosophy at the Imperial University, never observed the precepts. Whenever he felt like eating, he ate, and when he felt like sleeping in the daytime he slept. One day Unsho visited Tanzan, who was drinking... Read Full Story
A woman of Nagasaki named Kame was one of the few makers of incense burners in Japan. Such a burner is a work of art to be used only in a tearoom or before a family shrine. Kame, whose father before her had been such an artist, was fond of drinking. She also smoked and associated with men most of the time. Whenever she made a little money she gave a feast inviting artists, poets, carpenters, workers, men of many vocations and avocations. In their association she evolved her designs. Kame was... Read Full Story
Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Blog | Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu | Ted Hanulak Sensei href="http://www.aiki-jutsu.com">Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis | Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu | Ted Hanulak Sensei Read Full Story
A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION from Carlos Lascano on Vimeo .
This is crazy pretty…took a lot of work…and captures the brevity of life for me. (Thanks to my new buddy Josh for this!) This will be today’s little reminder of that. Don’t waste this day!
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Ryokan devoted his life to the study of Zen. One day he heard that his nephew, despite the admonitions of relatives, was spending his money on a courtesan. Inasmuch as the nephew had taken Ryokan's place in managing the family estate and the property was in danger of being dissipated, the relatives asked Ryokan to do something about it. Ryokan had to travel a long way to visit his nephew, whom he had not seen for many years. The nephew seemed pleased to meet his uncle again and invited him to... Read Full Story
