From the Chiamus archive: March 14, 2019 "THE ZEN REBELS: OBSCURE HERMITS AND EXISTENTIAL REFORMERS (PART 16). BANKEI YŌTAKU, (PART 2)"

(Image from the Public Domain)

Bankei Yōtaku, in a period of the Edo (1603 - 1868) within a very tumultuous time of Japanese history, he was able in an anarchic and iconoclastic way to create the first Zen “cult” which evolved uniquely into a splintered and cultivated aspect of Bankei's own version of Zen known as the Unborn Mind or Fushō Zen.  Why this could be considered a cult, even though it may hold a resounding paradox against the institutionalized aspects of Zen in Japan at the time. It was Bankei's later cult like status, which was seen as an offset to the hypocrisy of the Zen Establishment, who prefered keeping in favor with the Shoguns, in a time of absolute insatiability of Japanese governance.  This set the tone to rebel against the imprinted expectation of Zen that, under an Imperial rule, became corruptible for the desire to attain mass appeal.  Bankei reinstated a core Buddhist perspective, developing his own Zen in conjunction with the Rinzai teachings he formed the groundwork for the Unborn Mind as a the focus of reaching the Buddha nature. Deposing of the need to recite the Zen Koans, limiting the process of Zazen (sitting meditation) as a way to enlightenment.  Rather, Bankei encouraged and influenced by the Rinzai Kensho of sudden awakening by a simple point; knowing the unborn mind – as a key to understanding the self.  

At the age of 30, with his enlightenment confirmed, yet, still seen as a novice (despite his prior hermitage and near death) as a Zen monk under Dōsha Chōgen of the Sōfuku-ji temple.  He grew ever more dissatisfied with the Zen establishment. Given a job as the temple cook, he refused to recite the sutra texts, although one day in a congregation of meditation. Bankei's second aspect of enlightenment occurred, to which the Master Dōsha had now accepted as a Penetration of the Mind giving Bankei the inka-shōmei (seal of recognition).  It is said that he tore up the seal and declined a senior position in the monastery and remained working as a cook within the temple.    

In the year that followed after his acknowledged enlightenment.  Bankei became a hermit again residing in the mountains of Yōshino, he began to compile his belief in the Unborn as a realized representation, in his view of Zen, of the Buddha Nature. 

“Throwing your whole life away 

Sacrificed to the thirst for gold 

But when you saw your life was through 

All your money was no use Clinging, craving and the like 

I don't have them on my mind 

That's why nowadays I can say 

The whole world is truly mine!"

"Since, after all this floating world Is unreal Instead of holding onto things in Your mind, go and sing! 

Only original mind exists In the past and in the future too Instead of holding onto things in Your mind, let them go!"

"Having created the demon mind yourself When it torments you mercilessly 

You're to blame and no one else 

When you do wrong our mind's the demon 

There's no hell To be found outside Abominating hell Longing for heaven 

You make yourself suffer In a joyful world 

You think that good Means hating what is bad 

What's bad is The hating mind itself Fame, wealth, eating and drinking, sleep and sensual delight 

Once you've leaned the Five Desires 

They become Your guide in life Notions of what one should do 

Never existed from the start Fighting about what's right, what's wrong That's the doing of the "I" 

When your study Of Buddhism is through 

You find You haven't anything new"

Bankei in the years that followed, from understanding suffering and the challenging of the Zen establishment.  His Fushō Zen (Unborn Zen) grew in popularity, he became a figurehead of a Zen 'Cult', that actually reshaped Zen at the time, to the extent that knowing enlightenment, is knowing that one possess the unborn mind.  The mind before you were born. The stillness, the beginning and also the end. Clinging not to the pain of separation and suffering from the past. But, embracing the wisdom of being unborn, anew. 

Truly, such a unique take on Zen Buddhism. 

“Unborn and imperishable Is the original mind Earth, water, fire and wind 

A temporary lodging for the night 

Attached to this Ephemeral burning house 

You yourselves light the fire, kindle the flames In which you're consumed” 

Bankei Yōtaku (1622-1693)

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A.Glass 2019