Being not doing according to Zen master Bankei - Zen talk with Daizan Roshi

We can think about our lives in two contrasting ways: in terms of ‘being’ and in terms of ‘doing’. In our lineage of Zen there are two great Zen masters each emphasising one of these two approaches: Hakuin (1686-1768) who taught a journey from point A through the process of practice to point B, and Bankei (1622-1693) who much more taught the ‘being’ aspect of practice. Some people find one perspective more helpful than the other. In this talk, Daizan Roshi shares some of his insights into Zen master Bankei’s ‘unborn’, ‘just being’ approach.
Zenways (www.zenways.org) promotes and encourages activities and practices that enhance human wellbeing, balance and awakening (satori or kensho - the enlightenment of Zen) in the many different situations we find ourselves in. Over many years of strict training, in Japan and the west, Julian Daizan Skinner Roshi received dharma transmission and permission to teach in both the Rinzai and Soto lineages of Zen. He now teaches at the Yugagyo Dojo in London, UK. May these recordings help you and those around you to find and realise the truth.

[@McLKeith]

It is almost as if I didn't hear this talk the first time. I will come back and listen to it often.

[@Merle1987]

I just discovered Bankei, I'm working my way through Norman Waddell's "The Unborn." Bankei is even more radical than Dogen. I've never heard such a teaching as his. He seems to take the teaching of buddha-nature and actually make it something immanent and give it an identity of sorts.. Most people don't even write about it, let alone claim it is inherent by birth. Bankei's teaching seems to expand upon "the truth of birthlessness" as they say in the Diamond Sutra. I love it. His thought certainly didn't bear much resemblance to mainstream Rinzai thought. The whole non-acquisitiveness that I found in Dogen is broadened and deepened, even decoupled from zazen. I'm not sure how I'll feel about this teaching five years from now, I'm honest enough to admit that, but today, I feel it is the highest teaching of Buddhism or any religion I've ever heard of.

[@Tyrhonius]

Merle Langlois Bankei is authentic Zen.

[@ffederel]

You might have done it already, but I encourage you to read Mazu. Mario Poceski wrote a number of books on him.

[@DilbagSingh-ox8li]

So how is it, now.

[@mrbee145]

Mr B was great. The 2 books I know about. Are amazing…. I thought I was the only one who read his stuff 😅

[@Jukau]

Are you there? How do you feel about IT 7 years later

[@heatherfrench8814]

If there was a love option on here I’d use this. This is so awesome. So much truth. Thank u Daizan Roshii!

[@Zenways_zen]

🙏

[@subasmagar1347]

Bankei has always helped me get out of frustations and anxieties caused by the materialistic world..........

[@Zenways_zen]

🙏

[@Ruftenkind]

These videos are really helping me a lot with my practise. Thanks so much sir!

[@KyleWhiteandfriends]

Thanks 👍

[@jean-sebastienr.9337]

Really interresting! Has Merle wrote earlier, the teachings of Bankei seems a lot more closer to Soto teachings than the Rinzai's one. But it is probably a dualistic view... The teacher said that it was the complement of the "doing" view of Hakuin. Really interesting ! A question still occurs in my mind, the one Dogen had struggled it before enlightment: why the need of practizing if we have already the nature of buddha?

[@dhammadasa2563]

Yes🙏🏾🌹🌺🥀🍀⚘🌱🌷

[@ffederel]

I would love to read Japanese. Waddell and Haskel's translations are like two utterly distinct texts.

[@PhuongTran-vj3kv]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@Zenways_zen]

🙏

[@bogaven]

_()_ Thank you.

[@mbiriviri]

:-) Can’t help but notice the irony of speaking and listening about Bankei’s just being in an atmosphere where there is so much DOING - - everyone sitting in a certain posture, doing something specific with their eyes, wearing robe and rakusu, all the ritual objects that are for doing something with… What do you think Bankei would tell you to do with all that?

[@mbiriviri]

That said, wonderful presentation of Bankei

[@Zenways_zen]

Thank you, great point. Do you think Bankei made a mistake by living and dying as a monk, ordaining his mother and so on? Your comment puts me in mind of the Herman Hesse novel, "Siddartha". If I remember rightly he gave up the forms of spiritual practice at a certain point on his spiritual journey.

[@jonashjerpe7421]

@@Zenways_zenIf you choose to give up certain forms or for that matter choose to embrace them, you are deluded. Plain and simple. You are the unborn. Just allow life to run its course unimpeded by preferences and choices.

[@videomaster8580]

Great speech. Does being as you are include physical pain, physical problems etc? Thanks!

[@Zenways_zen]

Yes it does. Paradoxically it seems the most powerful means of transformation is through acceptance.

[@videomaster8580]

@@Zenways_zen Thank you kindly for the reply. I have found that accepting my Tinnitus, is a great help. Also trying to accept other physical problems. How ever complete acceptance, I think isnt possible, as it almost seems like giving up. I seem to live in the flux between acceptance, and seeking solutions. Each one of those feel like a trap at times. Thanks.

[@hammockman5589]

Not carried away by pain nor pleasure.

[@1rocknroy]

Bankei reminds me of the est Training.

[@Zenways_zen]

The est training? Not sure what you mean here...

[@1rocknroy]

@@Zenways_zen Erhard Seminars Training from the 70s. Google it.

[@anoshya]

Two,of my friends suffered breakdowns after being exposed to this method

[@dr.kenmiller4227]

Great talk, what was all that distracting noise beginning of talk for seven or eight minutes? Instead of a bird cawing there was someone moving objects or chairs around …very distracting. My Buddha mind heard it all without trying. I enjoy BEING late in life. I used to enjoy DOING early in life. Waving goodbye Now, BEING the ocean…☺️🎨👨‍🎨🌊

[@Zenways_zen]

Thank you for your comment. I'm not sure what was going on in the background.

[@enterthevoidIi]

Hakuin could not stand Bankei and his Unborn Zen

[@Zenways_zen]

yes!

[@nicholasdold4835]

Hakuin couldn't stand hardly anyone. After reading his collected letters, it's disappointing to uncover what a self-assured jerk he was.

[@simeondawkins6358]

U cant chnage anything lol egi cant do smeg its not real