Question

Hello

As the patriarchs imported Buddhism (and thus the Chan / Zen) in China and in Japan, they translated the language of sutras in the local language. Why those who established and establish sanghas of Zen practice in the West, where the spoken languages are English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish do recite sutras in Sino - Japanese instead of using their native languages?

Sincerely,

Answer from Master Kosen

For us who are western and who are used to grabbing things in a intellectual way, to recite sutras in a language which is not ours favors the development of intuition. And, anyway, even the Japanese or the Chinese do not understand most of the sutras, which are not either in modern Japanese nor in modern Chinese.

Mondo On the same theme : Ceremonies

The impression of being in Japan.

Kan ji zaï bo satsu. Gyo jin han...why sing that, what does it mean? In the dojo, why do I have the impression of being in Japan? I am not Japanese. I speak better Japanese than Breton! Zazen is very good. Thank you
...

Obliged to caricature the Easterners.

Aioli that means hello in Provence! Caro Stéphane, On our premises we would say, no it is a guy, I’m right! and the other buddy, says "it seems to me he is not a guy, he is a monk" A fatchedecon! He is dressed in fashion, he is a samurai, or then he is Chinese! Besides he’s got a Bartez haircut done. Without talking cock! I’m not talking...


About the name which the Master gives us.

Hello Master Kosen. Here still a question which you will answer, I hope. About the name which the Master gives us during the ordination of Bodhissatva. Perhaps, it is wrong of me to be attached to it but I like it and it acts like a koan to be meditated since you gave it to me. Does one have to be attaches to it? To make use of it? ...



How to enter the dojo ?

I am not sure on How is the correct order of movements after you enter Dojoto practice zazen. Nobody talks about that and I see some monks doing nothing,others making gasho to the center and then to the wall, others to the safu, thento the center, others to the Godo then to the wall. As I am learning by following their example, I ended up doing ...


To know more about mondo

You may want to see other themes of this mondo online, or ask your own question : see Mondo online : questions to zen Master Kosen Thibaut

Subscribe to our YouTube channel


Zen meditation : retreats

Next sesshin : from 28 December 2024 to 01 January 2025 - Information and registration to this zen retreat

Winter camp 2024 : Zazen the méditation Zen, Caroux Temple near of Montpellier


The monk without homeDiscover the inalienable life Which is without going and coming, That is the practice of the Way. Then you will reach the true vision And your ego will not be a transitory self But an eternal self. As long as we do not wake up to that, It is useless to be born in this world.

Kodo Sawaki

Donate to the Sangha

Let's help the Kosen Sangha and the Yujo Nyusanji zen temple


Mondo

Questions to zen Master Kosen

Boddidharma, buddhist monk

Master Kosen

Follow his teachings in the Montpellier Zen dojo and in the great sesshins at Yujo Nyusanji zen temple


Kusens

Listen to and download last teachings (in french) of Master Kosen in Montpellier's dojo