Definition
Reading: heijōshin zedō / byōjōshin zedō
平常心是道 (Ordinary Mind Is the Way) is a famous Zen expression. It shows that your ordinary daily life itself matches the true way of Zen. Famous Zen masters, Mazu Daoyi and Nanquan Puyuan, used these words. In Japanese, the name is read as "Byojoshin-ze-do."
Q&A
- Q: Why is every ordinary daily life itself Zen?
- A: Because "enlightenment" or "truth" in Zen means that you concentrate 100% on the reality of this moment and become one with it. Doing Zazen in a Zen temple is not the only training. We do many actions every day. For example, we eat meals, wash dishes, walk, and listen to other people. You should do these daily actions without bad thoughts in your head. You should not worry about past regrets or future anxieties. When you do everything with your full attention right here and right now, all your actions become Zen itself.
However, you cannot reach this goal just by living a normal life. It is because you need daily training to reach this high level of mind.
