Question
Hello,
I understand there are 2 main medidation methods, shikantaza and koan zen. So which one do you prefer and emphasize ?
I also believe to completely understand the practice of shikantaza both while sitting and while doing other activities (just do what you do), but i am not sure abut how to praxtice with koans. But what bugs me is that i read that Master Yasutanu Roshi said it is much quicker to awaken using koans then using shikantaza, and koan is the prefered method for those wishing to awaken, whereas shikantaza takes 5, 10 or even more years to reach awakening.
What do you think about this ?
Thank you
kovacevic_v
Answer from Master Kosen
I am a soto zen master and I know very little about koan practice.
I believe that zazen is the best as it gather in unity body and mind. We understand profoundly the Way not only through our mind but a lot through our body, actually they contribute both to our inner understanding. The noble posture of the body-mind is essential to me, and pure koan practice looks to me (although I don’t know it really) too much mind oriented.
Who said that the realisation of the awakening should be fast ? Time is not so important. Zazen is the practice of the immediate awakening, what could be actually faster that the instant ? Every one possess the awakening but not everybody realises this simple fact. Also deciding that you are awakened is important. Think about it.
The more you try to grab any awakening, the more you will be far away from the real realisation of it. I would then not follow the words of Master Yasutanu Roshi myself, but everyone is free to go along with what corresponds to him the best. Zen is life, and life takes hopefully many years, why rushing ?
Keisen
Kosen