Shoyoroku Case 4: Shakyamuni Points to the Ground — Faith Is Not Obedience; You Must Be the Main Character of Your Own Life

Shakyamuni and Indra: Become the Main Character of Your Own Life

From Shoyoroku, Case 4: Shakyamuni Points to the Ground

One day, Shakyamuni was walking with his disciples. He pointed to the ground with his hand.
Shakyamuni: “We should build a temple here.”
Then, Indra came to that place. He had a piece of grass. He put it into the ground.
Indra: “I have already finished building a temple.”
Shakyamuni smiled happily.From Shoyoroku, Case 4: Shakyamuni Points to the Ground

Introduction: 釈迦牟尼 (Shakyamuni) and 帝釈天 (Indra)

Key Point: The main characters are 釈迦牟尼 (Shakyamuni) and 帝釈天 (Indra). Shakyamuni is one of many who awakened to the truth. Indra is a god from ancient Indian mythology.

In this story, the characters are 釈迦牟尼 (Shakyamuni) and 帝釈天 (Indra). Sezon is another name for Shakyamuni. It is a title of honor. The real name of Shakyamuni was Siddhartha Gautama. He was born as a prince of the Shakya clan. “Shakyamuni” means a sage of the Shakya clan. “Buddha” means a person who found the truth. There are many Buddhas. Shakyamuni is not the only one.

Indra is also called Sakra-devanam-Indra. He lives in Zengu-jo (the Castle of Correct Views). It is at the top of Mount Sumeru. In the old world view, this mountain is at the center of the universe. He is the king of Tori-ten (the Heaven of the Thirty-three Gods). He controls the Four Heavenly Kings of the north, south, east, and west. He protects people who believe in Buddhism. He fights against the demon army. He is a very powerful and scary god.

Originally, Indra was a god in ancient Indian mythology. Later, he became a part of Buddhism.

The Entourage of Shakyamuni and Indra: A Critique by Wansong Xingxiu

Key Point: Shakyamuni and Indra traveled with a large group of humans and gods. Wansong Xingxiu criticized them, saying that it is pathetic to just follow others when everyone should be the main character of their own life, not just Shakyamuni.

Now, let us start the main story.
One day, Shakyamuni went out with many disciples. Indra was one of them. This shows that not only humans but also gods followed Shakyamuni. Buddhism did not simply remove other religions. It accepted their gods and gave them new meanings. Therefore, gods from many cultures and religions became protectors or Bodhisattvas of Buddhism.

Wansong Xingxiu criticized the disciples. He said that Shakyamuni is not the only special person. Every god and every human must be the main character. He thought, “These followers are weak.” This message is also for us. In Zen, we should not just follow Shakyamuni. Each person must become the main character of their own life.

In Zen, he is one of the people who understood the truth. He is not the only leader of Buddhism.

Building a Temple: Becoming the main character in Your daily life

Key Point: When Shakyamuni said, “I want to build a temple here,” Indra responded through the action of inserting a single blade of grass into the ground.

Shakyamuni: “We should build a temple here.”Usually, people think they must build a great building like Gion-shoja. They think they must call a temple carpenter immediately.

However, Indra brought a piece of grass. He put it into the ground and said:
Indra: “I have already finished building a temple.”

This shows a true teaching of Buddhism. The size of a building is not important. Each person must be the main character in their daily life. Each person must follow the Buddhist path at every moment.

Building a Temple: Manifesting the Pure Land Here and Now

Key Point: It is essential not to wait for the afterlife to reach the Pure Land, but to manifest it right here, right now.

When we do this, that place becomes the Pure Land. We do not go to the Pure Land after we die. We must create the Pure Land here and now. In this story, Indra used a piece of grass. But it can be anything. For example, a small stone is also good.

A stone was originally a part of a rock. A rock was a part of a mountain. A mountain is a part of the great Earth. The Earth is a part of a galaxy where many celestial bodies gather. In this way, we can feel a great connection to the universe even in one small stone. A piece of grass grows from the ground. It has roots in the ground. The ground is a part of a mountain. A mountain is a part of the Earth. The Earth is a part of the universe. Even in one piece of grass, we can feel the same connection.

Religion and Philosophy: Philosophy is Understanding, Religion is Living

Key Point: Religion is not just about understanding ideas in your head; it is about embodying that understanding and integrating it into your daily life.

Like these things, humans are also one with the universe. However, common sense and distracting thoughts hide our true selves. We forget that we are a part of the universe. We need training to remove these covers and return to our center. We can understand that a piece of grass is a part of the Earth, and the Earth is a part of the universe. Understanding this in our minds is philosophy. However, religion is different.

Religion is not just following someone without thinking. It is understanding the truth and using it in our daily lives.

Religion and Philosophy: Philosophy uses words, but Religion holds both words and what lies beyond them

Key Point: If philosophy is a way to understand the world through words, religion is a way to live out what lies beyond them.

Indra’s action matched Shakyamuni’s mind. So, Shakyamuni smiled. This smile is a symbol. It shows something that we cannot explain with words or letters. Philosophy is a study that uses words. Religion is a study that uses words and other things, too. In philosophy, people use reason to understand the world. In religion, people do not only understand the world with reason. They also use that understanding in their daily lives.

The core

• When Shakyamuni said, “We should build a temple here,” Indra responded through the action of inserting a single blade of grass into the ground.
• This shows that everyone must be the main character of their own life and live seriously at this moment.
• Zen uses the truth in daily life and makes this place the Pure Land here and now.

My Experience: Buddhism Is Not About the Splendor of Structures and Statues

Key Point: Constructing temples and statues is an act that demands profound concentration. Buddhism does not seek mere outward splendor; it seeks a life lived in accordance with the Buddha’s way, cultivated through the focus and dedication one pours into a singular purpose.

I have lived a normal life with my family. I have also worked for a company. At other times, I lived in monasteries and temples. In a monastery, there is a good system for training. It is easier to practice there than in a normal life. However, if the people there do not have a strong will, their life becomes the same as a normal life. Because of this experience, I think we can create the same environment as a temple in our homes or companies. It depends on our mind and heart. Is building temples or statues different from Buddhism? I have seen many Buddhist statues at the Tokyo National Museum. Their high skills were wonderful. I was very surprised. From this experience, I think that building temples and statues is also the Buddhist path.

Temple carpenters and sculptors of Buddhist statues have great skills. They need very strong concentration to make their works. In the Buddhist path, the most important thing is to focus on this moment with all your heart. Therefore, they are following the Buddhist path while they are making things. I use words to understand and explain the truth. Their buildings and statues are a different way to show the truth.

The message of this old story is this: Buddhism is not about wanting fame, money, or power. It is not only about the beautiful appearance of buildings or statues. It says that we must live our lives according to the teachings of Buddhism.

Zen Tips for Modern Life: Religion Is Not About Blind Obedience

Key Point: We do not follow people or institutions; we align ourselves with the harmony and order of the universe.

Just as a blade of grass or a stone is an integral part of the universe, we too are originally one with it. While religion is often mistaken for the blind obedience to leaders or organizations, Zen teaches otherwise. We do not follow people or institutions; we align ourselves with the harmony and order of the universe.

If philosophy is a discipline that deals in words, religion is a discipline that incorporates what lies beyond them. If philosophy uses reason to understand the world, religion goes beyond mere understanding—it requires us to integrate that truth into our daily lives.

Therefore, Zen practice is not about submission. It is the process of reclaiming who you truly are: an essential part of the universe. To realize this, you must distance yourself from conventional social values. Zen requires a proactive, independent attitude—the courage to stand on your own two feet.