Hishiryō

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hishiryō ( Japanese非 思量, "the immeasurable to thinking") is often translated as "thinking from the ground of not thinking". It denotes the directly experienceable state in which it is evident that the ultimate reality lies beyond thinking . This aspect is practiced in Zen Buddhism as a central element of the Sōtō school .

The most important source work that describes the practice of Hishiryō is the Shōbōgenzō of the Zen master Dōgen Zenji (1200-1253).

The explanation of Hishiryō consciousness in Zen literature often refers to Master Yakusan Igen (Chinese: Yaoshan), whose central statement is described in Master Dogen's compilation of the 300 koan in the 129th koan. In a famous conversation a monk asks him what Yakusan thinks about while sitting in zazen . Yakusan Igen then explained his state of mind as “not like normal thinking” or “beyond our personal subjective thinking” (depending on the translation ). Master Deshimaru explained Hishiryō with “Hishiryō is cosmic and not personal thinking, the highest consciousness beyond space and time”.

Hishiryō describes together with Shikantaza (“just sitting”) the two most important characteristic guiding principles of Dogen for the practice of zazen. Hishiryō describes the quality of thinking during concentrated Zen practice. Shikantaza, on the other hand, represents the general aim of the mature zazen practice. The two guiding principles cannot be sharply separated from one another, but rather explain different perspectives on the same Zen practice.

method

In a kind of "Manuale" of zazen, the 27th chapter in Master Dogen's "Shobogenzo" with the title "Zazenshin" (literally translated: "Bamboo needle of zazen") reference is made explicitly to "Hishiryo" as an essential "technique" of the Sitting meditation: "Great Master Yakusan Kodo was once sitting when a monk came up to him and asked him: 'What do you think when you are completely immobile?' The master replied, 'I think from the deep ground of not thinking.' The monk asked, 'How can one think from the deep ground of not thinking?' The master said, 'It is beyond thinking.' "And Master Dogen continues:" In order to really experience what the great master is talking about, you have to experience and explore immovable sitting for yourself ... ". (Dogen Zenji, Shobogenzo, Vol. 2, Heidelberg 2003, 119). Taisen Deshimaru tries to explain "Hishiryo" as the "essential art of zazen" as follows: "We have to think out of the deepest non-thinking: Hishiryo is the optimum, the bursting, the orgasm of consciousness, the beyond-thinking, the absolute , cosmic, universal, global thinking. Hishisryo is cosmic consciousness and not personal consciousness, it is the highest consciousness beyond space and time. How do you think without thinking? That in itself is the essential art of zazen. When we ourselves focus on the posture, let the thoughts pass by without lingering on an object of consciousness, if we do not let up in this during zazen, the thoughts gain breadth and depth and penetrate to the universal consciousness. (...) The Hishiryo- State occurs unconsciously, naturally and automatically. "(Taisen Deshimaru, Dokan - Daily Zazen !, Heidelberg 2002, 74f.) In order to visualize this" letting go of thoughts " lichen, the "cloud" metaphor, which was probably used for the first time by Yoka Genkaku , is used again and again (cf. Shodoka. Satori - here and now, a Zen text by Master Yoka Genkaku, Heidelberg 2006, 22), so z. B. with Master Harada: "Zazen is a feeling so massive, as if the seat cushion had become the globe and the universe fills the abdomen. The green mountains stand motionless. The white clouds (= thoughts) come and go." (quoted from Hugo Makibi Enomiya-Lassalle , Zen instruction, Munich 1999, 23).

This article or the following section is not adequately provided with supporting documents ( e.g. individual evidence ). Information without sufficient evidence could be removed soon. Please help Wikipedia by researching the information and including good evidence.

“It's not difficult to see the picture in the mirror. But it is impossible to catch the moon in flowing water. "

- Yoka Daishi, Shodoka

Hishiryō is based on acting directly in the present moment in the present place. Through the concentrated activity, the practitioner becomes part of a “seamless wholeness” and connects directly with the “stream of being”. This is called reality or Dharma in Zen Buddhism . This touch enables a deeper level of intuitive and directly perceptual understanding that is not changed by personal conceptions or interpretations .

The formation of Hishiryō requires a balance of mindset that neither pursues nor rejects thoughts, feelings or perceptions. Hishiryō consciousness itself cannot be forced, only good conditions can be created for it.

Hishiryō thinking is not in opposition to analytical thinking. It represents an enrichment of the range of human thinking skills and aims at the adequate use of the different mental possibilities. The differentiation between Hishiryō and certain nihilistic positions is difficult in a purely intellectual view, since the intellect can only implement the "self-abandonment as a prerequisite for a mental opening" with difficulty. The very will not to think is already a thought that opposes Hishiryō thinking.

The development of Hishiryō thinking requires accompanying guidance from a teacher, since Hishiryō consciousness has to remain closed to analytical understanding due to its nature. Implementation based on self-study is considered to be considerably more difficult, but is not entirely impossible. This approach chose z. B. the historical Shakyamuni Buddha , since no teacher could yet be available to him.

literature

Web links