OPENING THE HAND OF THOUGHT:
APPROACH TO ZEN
KOSHO UCHIYAMA
Translated by Shohaku Okumura and
Tom Wright
Edited by Jisho Cary Warner
Arkana
PUBLISHER’S NOTES
THE TEACHINGS OF A PRE-EMINENT ZEN MASTER
Wise, clear, and searching, Opening the Hand of Thought brings together the writings of an iconoclastic Japanese Zen master. Kòshò Uchiyama takes a more rational approach to transcendence, to the discovery of the unlimited depth of reality, and understands the self beyond our usual notions of who we are – the self that wholeheartedly lives out the truth of life. He attempts to answer the essential question. How do we bring Zen practice and our everday modern lives together into a fresh original expression of our life force? His book is a challenge to the individual, an exploration of the relationship each of us has to ourself and to the world, and a spiritual journey infused with the wise humor of a respected and revered teacher.
CONTENTS
TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE
EDOTOR’S PREFACE
FOREWORD
PART ONE
UNDENIABLE REALITY
The Theme of My Life
The Self That Lives the Whole Truth
How Does a Persimmon Become Sweet?
The Significance of Buddhist Practice
The Four Seals
Practice is for Life
PART TWO
THE REALITY OF ZAZEN
Ants in Sugar Bowl
Depending on Others is Unstable
Everything is Just as It is
Living out the Reality of Life
How to Do Zazen
Letting go of Thoughts
Waking up to Life
Sesshins Without Toys
Before Time and “I” effort
The Scenery of Life
The self is the Universe
The Activity of the Reality of Life
PART THREE
THE LIFE OF THE TRUE SELF
Aimless Modernity
Self Settling on Itself
Interdependence and the Middle Way
Delusion and Zazen
Zazen as Religion
Vow and Repentance
Living wide Awake
The direction of the Universal
PART FOUR
PRACTICING BUDDHISM , PRACTICING LIFE
9 The Wayseeker
Seven Points of Practice
Opening the Hand of Thought
Zazen is Our True Teacher
Gain is Delusion, Loss is Enlightenment
Living by Vow
Development and Backsliding
Sit Silently
Cooperate to Practice
Leaving Antaiji
10 Questions
On Zazen
The Bodhisattva Vow
Living Practice
Going Home
APPENDIX 1. KINHIN
APPENDIX 2. HOW TO MAKE A ZAFU, OR SITTING CUSHION
GLOSSARY