DAIJI-IN
大慈院
ZAZEN & TEA
Our minds can be likened to water.
Emotions such as joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure often appear as whitecaps and ripples on the surface. Sitting quietly during Zazen calms these waves of emotion. When the water is placid and clear, it allows us to see the depths beyond the surface.
Yet, once we return to our daily routines, the waves begin to rise again; that is the nature of our minds.
ZEN is a state of calmness within the mind.
Our body and mind are interconnected.
When we release tension in our body, our breaths naturally become calm and deep, allowing the mind to regain its tranquility. It is difficult to achieve a calm mind if one’s body remains tense during Zazen.
At Daiji-in, our approach is to first remove any excess tension in one’s body. We then let our breath flow naturally - without controlling it - and savor the stillness and calmness in our mind before the waves begin to rise.
The Way of Tea has long been valued by samurai for cultivating refinement.
Preparing a bowl of tea with a tranquil mind was a way to soothe their restless thoughts amidst turbulent times.
The Zen of Daitoku-ji and the Way of Tea have profoundly influenced each other,
shaping a unique spiritual culture now known as “wabi-sabi.” This ethos has also deeply impacted haiku, sumi-e (ink paintings), and Noh drama.
Rather than seeking pretentious splendor and extravagance, wabi-sabi embraces simplicity and finds beauty of both nature and the human soul as it is. It encourages us to cherish each moment and focus on preparing tea with a quiet mind.
