Master Kosen speaks about the strength of groups. With Jesus and Barabas we saw a horrific outcome, but with practicing zazen (in a virtual context) we become a strong group as individual beings.
00:00 • Youth of Deshimaru
01:32 • Zen and Christianity
02:20 • Pontius Pilate
04:25 • Public opinion
05:35 • Kodo Sawaki
06:32 • Dojos
I told you about Master Deshimaru’s youth. From his doubts, his research to his meeting with .. Master Kodo Sawaki and his zazen posture. The encounter with one’s own zazen posture.. What a joy! I believe that those who have met their zazen posture.. Have not wasted their time on this planet. It’s an immeasurable gift.. Even if in this posture... There’s also suffering and anguish. In this posture, there is everything.. But you look at it from the top. Before meeting Kodo Sawaki’s education.. Master Deshimaru had studied the Bible. He was a bit in love with a Dutch girl.. The daughter of a pastor. He took the opportunity to study the Bible and English. In fact he studied English through reading the bible. He attended Christian churches and sang hymns. I’m telling you this because it’s Easter. And now Jesus is between.. His coffin and the fourth or fifth dimension. Sensei (Deshimaru) told us that when he came to France, He brought his bible and the hymns of his youth. During an Easter sesshin, he gave us a kusen on Christ. According to the Gospel according to Saint Luke.. When Christ had to explain himself.. Before Pontius Pilate to be judged.. Pontius Pilate summoned the chief priests.. And questioned Jesus before them. He says to them: "You have presented this man to me as.. If he is misleading the people in a wrong direction." "I questioned him and found nothing in this evil man." "I found none of the motives you accuse him of." "Nor has Herod found cause for accusation." "I conclude that this man has done nothing to deserve his death." At that moment, the people cried out all together: "Death to Jesus, release Barabbas!" "Barabbas.. Had been imprisoned for disorderly conduct and murder." Pontius Pilate offered to release one of the prisoners. But the people said, "Christ is dead, free Barabbas!" Pontius Pilate addresses the people again: One more time, he tells them and speaks with the people. "Be reasonable.. Jesus didn’t do anything wrong, he just talked!" Everyone shouted, "Crucify him!" Pontius Pilate finally said: "As you wish, it’s not my problem..." He said the famous phrase: "I’m washing my hands of it!" It's an expresion that means.. Washing your hands as often as possible to avoid the coronavirus. You have to say every time, "I’m washing my hands of it!" It's a teaching of Master Deshimaru. "Thus, Jesus was condemned by public opinion." "Mob psychology has killed Christ." "Mimicry, refusal to question oneself.. Has killed the Christ." The crowd contains in itself.. Powerful energy that can be negative and dangerous. When we get together to do zazen, it’s different. For each one looks at himself.. While being in unison with the group. This is very important especially for Zazoom! I burned incense in the room, for example. Sensei often said, "In zazen, one is alone." But in a dojo, we do zazen in a group.. Even if we’re alone. But then there is no emotional confusion. Kodo Sawaki used to say, "We must not live in group stupidity." "And take this aberration for a true experience." "This is the lot of ordinary people.. Who don’t know any other way to look at it.. Than with the eyes of collective imbecility." The Buddha gave a public teaching once a week. All the disciples, monks and also lay people.. Gathered outside, surely in privileged places. The Buddha gave a kusen. Everyone listened to the words of the Buddha in zazen.. And then went off on their own. Everyone practiced alone for a week, a month.. And then returned regularly to the meetings.. To listen to the words of the Buddha. It was only in China.. That they opened dojos. That we started practicing zazen in a group.. With an order and rules. So the crowd is something very powerful.. Both for good or bad. Sensei said in reality: "Jesus Christ gave his body for the taste of death." "Through the deep lake of nothingness and despair." "He has become a symbol of eternal life." "His life is identical to a Zen koan." This is what Sensei (Deshimaru) has said.