Shakyamuni and Manjushri: What Is the Teaching Without Words?
From The Shoyoroku, Case 1: The Buddha’s Silent Lecture
One day, Shakyamuni went up to the teacher’s chair.
Then, Manjushri came forward. He hit a wooden tool in the correct way and said:Manjushri: “Look carefully. This is the law of the King of the Law. The law is like this.”
After Shakyamuni heard these words, he left the chair immediately.
From The Shoyoroku, Case 1: The Buddha’s Silent Lecture
Introduction: Shakyamuni and Manjushri
Key Point: The main characters are 釈迦牟尼 (Shakyamuni) and Manjushri.
The main characters are 釈迦牟尼 (Shakyamuni) and Manjushri. Shakyamuni practiced very hard. In the end, he found the truth and became an “enlightened one.” Manjushri is one of the three important figures in Kegon Buddhism. He is a very wise Bodhisattva. He serves Shakyamuni together with Samantabhadra, who governs action.
Zen Rituals: The True Intention of Manjushri
Key point: Even though Shakyamuni sat in the chair, Manjushri finished the ceremony by saying, “Look carefully. This is the law of the King of the Law. The law is like this.”
Now, let us look at the story. One day, Shakyamuni went up to the teacher’s chair, so Manjushri hit a wooden tool. Today, the teacher’s chair is a grand chair. However, in the past, it was a simple chair made of curved wood. In 禅 (Zen) temples, people still use an octagonal wooden tool called “Tsuichin” to give various signals. In old Zen temples, the leader hit the tool before the talk and said, “Noble practitioners, now you should see the root of the truth.” After the talk, the leader hit the tool again and said, “Look carefully. This is the law of the King of the Law. The law is like this.” The “King of the Law” means an “enlightened one.”
Manjushri was in charge of hitting the wooden tool. He followed the rules correctly. However, he did not say, “Noble practitioners, now you should see the root of the truth.”
As soon as Shakyamuni sat in the chair, Manjushri said, “Look carefully. This is the law of the King of the Law. The law is like this.” He finished the ceremony before Shakyamuni spoke. Did Manjushri make a mistake?
No, he did not. He finished it because he could hear the “teaching without words” from Shakyamuni. This makes us wonder, what exactly does this represent?
Like Willows Are Green and Flowers Are Red: The Truth Filling Our Daily Lives
Key point: Manjushri was able to hear the “teaching without words” from Shakyamuni.
This means that Shakyamuni’s existence itself is the truth. It is just like: “柳は緑、花は紅 (Willows are green, flowers are red), the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.” Everything is the truth as it is. Manjushri was in charge of hitting the wooden tool. He followed the rules correctly. However, he did not say, “Noble practitioners, now you should see the root of the truth.” As soon as Shakyamuni sat in the chair, Manjushri said, “Look carefully. This is the law of the King of the Law. The law is like this.” He finished the ceremony before Shakyamuni spoke. Did Manjushri make a mistake? No, he did not. He finished it because he could hear the “teaching without words” from Shakyamuni. This means that Shakyamuni’s existence itself is the truth. It is just like: “Willows are green, flowers are red, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.” Everything is the truth as it is.
Like Newton’s observation: Concentration to see the truth
Key point: Newton was able to see the truth by watching things with great attention.
Someone said to Newton, “It is amazing that you discovered the law of gravity by watching an apple fall from a tree.” Newton answered, “That may be true, but attention is the most important thing.” In this way, the truth is always around us. It is important to look at things carefully. Many people think that Buddhism is a religion “invented” by Shakyamuni. However, in Zen, “the Law” (Dharma) means the way to the truth that fills the whole universe.
Shakyamuni simply revealed it to us. Therefore, there were enlightened people before him. The way to the truth has always existed everywhere, so you can also become enlightened.
Like a finger pointing at the moon: Words and enlightenment in Zen
Key point: The way to the truth exists beyond words, and it is everywhere, now and in the past, so you can also be enlightened. It is important to do both: use words in holy books and Koans to understand the truth, and practice Zazen to experience the truth.
Today, Japanese Buddhism is divided into 13 sects. All of them, except for Zen, rely on holy books called “Sutras.” On the other hand, Zen does not have a specific holy book.
In Zen, people say that Shakyamuni’s 49 years of teaching and 5,700 holy books are only “fingers pointing at the moon.” If you only look at the finger, you cannot see the moon (the truth). This means the way to the truth exists beyond words.
However, this does not mean that Zen ignores all words or holy books.
After 菩提達磨 (Bodhidharma), practitioners focused on Zazen, so people started to call it the “Zen sect.” After Bodhidharma’s time, followers began to use the words of old masters as “Koans.” They started to practice both Zazen (beyond words) and Kanna (working with Koans/words). Some Zen masters also study the holy books deeply.
In short, both are important: using words to understand the truth, and practicing Zazen to experience the truth with your whole body.
The Core
- Zen is a “silent teaching” beyond words.
- We should not rely only on words.
- It is important to watch a person’s attitude, voice, and actions carefully.
My Experience: Parents and teachers should not depend on their status
Key point: I show my attitude by “facing myself.” You should not depend on your social status as a parent or a teacher.
I work as a teacher for children. Except for a few very gifted children, I must try many different ways to teach them. I should not teach by making scary faces or threatening them. Instead, I show them an attitude of “facing myself.”
What does this mean? I focus strictly on my job of teaching. I try to remove my own ego or personal opinions as much as possible. I keep my words to a minimum and adjust my teaching to each child.
So far, every child listens to my words very quietly. One reason may be that children today are gentler and more obedient than when I was a child. However, I believe they feel something from my voice, attitude, and actions beyond my words. People live by depending on their social status. They think, “I am a parent,” or “I am a teacher.” They believe in these roles too much. However, do we depend on them too much?
We often think, “As a parent or a teacher, I must educate children.” Then we wonder, “I am a parent or teacher, so why don’t they respect me?” or “Why don’t they listen to me?” These questions show that we are depending on our social status.
Zen Tips for Modern Life：Pay close attention to attitude, voice, and actions
Key point: Zen focuses on things beyond words. It is important not to just look at the content of speech or values, but to pay close attention to things like attitude, voice, and actions.
The way to the truth exists everywhere, both in the past and now. You can also become enlightened.
The way to the truth has two parts: the words of Shakyamuni and the parts beyond words. The Zen sect focuses especially on the parts beyond words.
In our daily lives, we often think that we can only communicate by speaking. However, there are other ways to communicate, such as through our attitude, voice, and actions. Also, we must remember that people often live by depending on their social status and values.
It is important not to focus only on “what you say” or “social values.” You should also pay close attention to your attitude, voice, and actions beyond words.
AoiちゃんQ&A
- Q: How can I communicate with others without using words?
- A: The answer is to stay silent.
Usually, we talk too much about unnecessary things. If you are careful about the words you use in your daily life, your words will become more beautiful. Also, by not talking too much, you will have more peace of mind. You will be able to finish your housework or work faster. Then, your "actions" themselves will begin to shine and communicate more to others.
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