“A monk asked Master Joshu, ‘Does a dog have Buddha nature or not?’ Joshu replied, ‘Mu.'”
In the context of Zen Buddhism, “mu” is a word that can be understood to mean “neither yes nor no”, challenging the dualistic way of thinking. This koan reminds us to let go of our preconceived notions and judgments about what is good or bad, ideal or not ideal, possible or impossible. The emphasis of the koan, similar to the message of your text, is on the importance of the present moment and the state of mind, rather than external circumstances or conditions.
Every Step is a Dojo
One of my favorite Zen phrases is “Hoho kore dojo”, which translates to “Every step is a dojo”. The meaning behind this saying is that depending on one’s state of mind, any place can become a dojo – a place for self-improvement. Regardless of the environment, if one has the will, enlightenment can be achieved anywhere.
However, as humans, we often blame our circumstances, uttering phrases like “It’s no good here,” “It won’t work in this company,” or “It’s because I was born in this kind of family.” We struggle and worry about changing the “form” of our circumstances first, and strive to create ideal conditions. But no matter how perfect the form or conditions we craft, they cannot bring true happiness. That’s not where the problem lies.
The place you’re in right now is just fine as it is. When you begin to view that place as a paradise, you change. The actual, realistic environment also starts changing at that point. Changing the form didn’t work out. The shortest route is to strive to see paradise in the midst of your current circumstances. I hope you can find your own hints in this.
I once watched a TV program about a man who rose from poverty to become a business owner. For a decade, while aspiring to be a comedian, he survived in abject poverty by doing odd jobs. When his girlfriend got pregnant, he took it as a sign to give up his dream of comedy and his life of part-time jobs. Drawing on his ten years of part-time work experience, he conceived a business that society needed and started a company using a single compact car as a warehouse and office. That business flourished.
Looking back at his life, he realized that the decade he spent doing part-time jobs, which he once considered the lowest point of his life, turned out to be a valuable asset for his solid and shrewd business management later on. He understood the key points of hiring and nurturing employees, and keeping the business going.
Yet, during that decade of part-time jobs, he spent half his time grappling with anxiety, close to despair. However, without those painful experiences and thoughts during that period, his subsequent success in business would not have been possible. You shouldn’t only dream of success and obsess over arranging the form without enduring any hardship. If so, nothing changes, and no opportunities arise. Even if you start something, you won’t continue it.
On the contrary, when you think, “Alright, even as things are now, I will dive headlong into this,” you begin to call forth your turning point. The harder the times, the greater the opportunity. It could even be seen as a chance to improve everything.
Let’s turn our current life into a dojo. Even in that place, fortune is falling. It is filled with things to be grateful for. All that’s left is to notice them.
Notes
Explanation
This is a story where a monk asks if a dog has Buddha nature. Master Joshu says ‘mu’, which means ‘neither yes nor no’. It reminds us that we should not always think in opposites. We should just focus on the now and not worry about what is good or bad.
This phrase means every place can be a place for learning if we have the right mindset. It tells us that we can be happy anywhere, no matter the situation, if we have the right attitude.
This is a story of a man who was poor but became a successful business owner. It shows us that hard times can be turned into good opportunities if we have the right attitude.
This part tells us to see our life as a place for learning. It says there are always things to be grateful for and noticing them can make us happy.
Glossary
An important teacher in Zen Buddhism.
A word in Zen Buddhism that means ‘neither yes nor no’. It tells us not to always think in opposites.
A Japanese word for a place of learning. Here, it is used to mean any place where you can learn and improve yourself.
A story or question in Zen Buddhism that is used to test your understanding.
Thinking in opposites, like good/bad, yes/no. Zen Buddhism says we should not do this.
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