Mushin: "No Mind" in Zen Buddhism

by Eric Sisco through Professor Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Powell II, opensourcebuddhism.org This excellently researched piece explores the nature of and role No Mind doctrine plays in Zen Buddhism. The animation of Takuan is original and the tracing of the origins of Buddhism from Bodhidharma to the Shaolin sect and on to Japan is an invaluable lesson.

Category:

Education

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• Zen
• Buddhism
• Buddha
• Bodhidharma
• Shaolin
• religion
• philosophy
• Takuan
• No
• Mind
• mushin
• Japan
• China
• India
• thought
• Professor
• Rev.
• Dr.
• James
• Kenneth
• Powell
• II
• opensourcebuddhism.org

[1111BLAKE1111]

so wouldn't listening and trying to understand this video result in thinking? i can listen to it but to understand it i have to be open to thought otherwise its just noise with some pretty music in the back ground. ?

[opensourcebuddhism]

@1111BLAKE1111 Yes, but while listening to it, you would not be in the state of "no mind". That is for later, in meditation or martial arts etc.

[Wolfsbane909]

years later the answer still is COMPLETE EMPTINESS

[opensourcebuddhism]

@Wolfsbane909 Yes, it seems from the science videos I have been watching, it does seem space is the primary ingredient for anything. The expanding universe is expanding space. All the rest is icing on an empty cake!

[ruzickaw]

Could you speak a little faster and more monotonous so I could not be able to follow you anymore and fall asleep. I am sure with this I will reach no-mind

[douglasmacjames]

i don't anderstand the video !

WHAT A GREAT MASTER YOU ARE !

THANKS.

[grisgrisy]

some great inforamtion here thanks

[distractionxx]

Very enjoyable thank you

[alexasmithy]

some really good stuff here

[thatsmisterrobert2u]

I looked for the video on the website that's shown and I couldn't find it. I guess that's some sort of koan. Oh well.

[snowboarder952]

@Bigvader Awesome. Thanks for the info. I'm currently reading a book on Sri Ramana Maharshi, some Hindu Philosophy technically, but as I learn more I see that the two , that is Buddhism and Hinduism, are alot alike.

[Bigvader]

@snowboarder952 Very similar concept, yes. The primary purpose of this practice in the martial arts is to be completely aware of your surroundings and environment so as to, first, avoid conflict if possible; second, be ready and one step ahead of your opponent should conflict be unavoidable. Though this is the primary reason for said training, obviously it can serve a much broader purpose and extend into all aspects of one's life.

[snowboarder952]

@Bigvader Mmm, yes. Much like the Hindu/Buddhist concept of ,"Self realisation", wherein one who is realised should be able to hold this state of tranquility and bliss while doing any activity in the physical world?

[Bigvader]

@snowboarder952 That is one explanation, however, there are others. Mu shin is not just a form of deep meditation. In the Japanese martial arts we strive toward mu shin in our regular everyday lives, attempting to achieve zazen (total awareness). It's a difficult concept without proper training.

[Suwai0303]

Great video :)

Thanks for putting it together.