P2+Zen,+Monks+and+Nuns

Zen, Monks and Nuns Period 2 **Meditation: Zen, Monks and Nuns **  Melissa H, Lincoln T

=**Introduction **=  Monks and nuns are people who are the followers of Buddha. They practice meditation or //Zazen. // Zazen is a type of meditation. Meditation used to be for monks only and women couldn’t teach or become masters of Buddhism, until the 14th century when Dogen’s word came into place. Meditation now is for anyone who wants to practice it.

=**Bushido **= There are 7 principles for becoming a monk. This is called Bushido. When Bushido is separated its syllables it means martial arts, warrior and the way. The seven principles are Gi, Yu, Jin, Rei, Matoko, Melyo, and Chugo. //Gi // means the right decision, taken with equanimity, the right attitude, the truth. When we must die, we must die; Rectitude. //Yu // means bravery tinged with heroism. //Jin // means universal love, benevolence toward mankind; compassion. //Rei //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> means right action--a most essential quality, courtesy. //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Matoko //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> means utter sincerity; truthfulness. //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Melyo //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> means honor and glory. The last of the seven principles is //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Chugo //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> which means devotion and loyalty. Monks practice bushido until they die.

=**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Zen Buddhism **= <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">When Buddha died, he told the monks to go forth and believe in Zen Buddhism. Zen Buddhism was brought to Japan from a monk named Eisai. The spread of Buddhism had two major routes. The north route through the great land mass of Asia. And the south route that across the southern border of Asia. The goal of Zen Buddhism is to achieve enlightenment and inner peace. Zen is like a flower that never dies. It grows new flowers while others die. It never dies or changes.

=<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Monks = <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Monks are people who live simple lives and dedicate their lives to Buddha’s teachings. Senior Monks are called lamas and beginners are called novices. A monk’s life consists of shaving their heads, studying and meditating. Monks used to be the only people who could practice Zazen. Monks had to agree to more than 200 rules.

=**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Nuns **= <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Zen Nuns couldn’t become Zen masters or teachers. Zen nuns couldn’t lead important ceremonies and no female disciples. They sponsored new Zen temples but were ranked very low. A monk named Dogen didn’t think it mattered what gender a Zen master or teacher was. Finally in the 14th century, women were allowed to teach Zen.

= **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Meditation ** = <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> Meditation is called Zazen. When meditating, you sit in the Lotus position, which is legs crossed, feet up, back straight and chin tucked in while facing a wall. Meditating is a way to clear the mind. Meditation and serenity is expressed in the tea ceremony. "Thinking of not thinking of anything at all. Be without thoughts- this is the secret of meditation." is a Zen meditation. Meditation is so relaxing that sometimes the people meditating would fall asleep, and monks would come around and whack them. Monks can meditate for 8hours or more. Gardens become aids to meditation and a model for human life.

=**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Conclusion **= <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Meditation is an essential part of the Samurai culture during the Tokugawa period because emperors, who were in the samurai section of social class during the Tokugawa period, were a role model for the Japanese citizens. This is because meditation was the way that the emperor “talked” to Amaterasu. The Japanese citizens knew that he was the only one who could do that. So the emperor would meditate to talk with Amaterasu. Also, when samurai cleared their mind they were able to think of ways to please the other people. This is how meditation was useful in the Tokugawa period.

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 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Citations: **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">

Wilkinson, Philip. Buddhism New York DK,2003 print. Taisen, Deshimura " //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">The Zen Way to the Martial Arts" //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> seven principles Arkana, 2/17/2010 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> Zen, //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">The Reason of Unreason. //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> San Francisco, Chronicle books, 1993. print. Department of Asian Art. "Zen Buddhism". In //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> (October 2002) Madhu Bazaz Wangu //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">"Buddhism world religions" // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> New York, 1993 print. Kalman, Bobbie. Japan: the Culture. New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 1989.