JUNDO to GUDO
This subject came up for me again today, because we are beginning to prepare for our "Online Jukai" over at our "Treeleaf" Sangha, and I recalled the Rakusu sewing classes I attended with [you] and Rev. Taijun at the old Dojo ... The emphasis there, much like with your calligraphy, can only be called "mindful" (meaning "careful, paying attention, in the moment") sewing.
GUDO to JUNDO
Sewing Rakusu, writing calligraphy, and so forth, are all actions, and so those actions are always done in the balanced state of body and mind. Therefore it is difficult for me to agree with your opinion, which you described in your comments.
JUNDO to GUDO
Hi Roshi,
...
Roshi, I still have question about what you wrote: Namely, can calligraphy etc. be done in a way that is not balanced state of body and mind? For example, if someone is doing calligraphy with their hand, but at the same time, their mind is thinking about politics or their job (and not focusing on calligraphy), is that still the balanced state of body and mind? Gassho, Jundo
GUDO to JUNDO
Dear Ven. Jundo Cohen,
Sewing Rakusu, or writing calligraphy, if you do them thinking something, or perceiving something, those jobs can never be done well.
Many people can write calligraphy thinking something, or perceiving something, and so their works are not always good.
If someone is doing calligraphy thinking about politics or not focusing on calligraphy, he can never keep himself into the balanced state, and
so it is impossible for him to accomplish a good calligraphy.
With best wishes Gudo Wafu Nishijima
JUNDO to GUDO
Hi Roshi,
Roshi, as to your comment above: This is my point exactly.
In the Zen world, the definition of "mindfulness" is usually to do one action purely (e.g., calligraphy, Rakusu sewing), only that one action in that moment, not thinking about something or perceiving something (not thinking about anything, not even thinking "I am doing calligraphy"). It is a pure doing, pure action, without the mind distracted or thinking this and that, as in Zazen. Perhaps the mind needs to think a little thing (e.g., now I need to put ink on my brush, now I need to write the Kanji for "Wa"), but then the attention returns without thought to the one, pure action.
That is the usual definition of "Mindfulness" in the Zen world.
So, I think your definition of "calligraphy is just action" is not different in this case, and I think you may be misunderstanding the meaning of the word "Mindfulness" as it is used in English in the Zen world?
GUDO to JUNDO
Dear Ven. Jundo Cohen,
Thank you very much for your sincere opinion, but I think that "being mindful" can never be Buddhism at all.
"Mindfulness" can never be an action, but "mindfulness" is just a mental expression of human mind.
Therefore it is completely impossible for me to think that "mindfulness" suggests a kind of action, and even in
the 21st century, it is completely impossible for me to change what Gautama said in 4th or 5th century BC.