Haku'un Yasutani
Encyclopedia
was a Sōtō
Rōshi
and the founder of the Sanbo Kyodan
Zen Buddhist organization.
.
At the age of 13 he was ordained at a Sōtō
temple and given the name Hakuun. He began training in 1925 under Harada Daiun Sogaku
, who was formally a Sōtō
Rōshi
and had studied Zen under both Sōtō
and Rinzai masters. Hakuun Yasutani received Dharma transmission
from him in 1943.
At this time in Japan Sōtō Zen practice had become rather methodical and ritualistic. Yasutani felt that practice and realization was lacking. He broke away from the Sōtō sect and in 1954 established his own organization as independent school of Zen Sanbō Kyōdan (Fellowship of the Three Treasures). After that his efforts were directed primarily toward the training of lay practitoners. The Sanbõ Kyõdan incorporates Rinzai methods (Kōan work) as well as much of Soto tradition, a style Yasutani had learned from his teacher Harada Daiun Sogaku.
Yasutani first traveled to United States in 1962 when he was already in his seventies. He became known and has indirectly influenced many people through the book The Three Pillars of Zen. The book was compiled by Philip Kapleau
. It contains short biography of Yasutani and his Introductory Lectures on Zen Training. The lectures were the first instructions on how to do zazen
ever published in English. The book also has Yasutani's Commentary on the Koan Mu
and somewhat unorthodox reports of his dokusan interviews with Western students.
, Yasutani was a vigorous supporter of Imperial Japan's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
policy and even in his writings on Buddhist subjects expressed views strongly supporting ultra-nationalism, the anti-democratic Kokutai
system of imperial autocracy
, militarism
and vehement anti-Semitism
. As in his criticism of other writers on Buddhism such as Kaiten Nukariya (忽滑谷 快天) and others, the tone of his comments frequently rose to the level of vitriol. He also routinely referred to China as Shina
, which, then as now, most Chinese consider condescending and derogatory and which the government under the Occupation of Japan banned in official government usage. Upon the end of the war, Yasutani quickly became silent about his pre-war support for imperialism but retained a strongly conservative and anti-communist tone in his writing.
Yasutani's political extremism and intense support for Japanese imperialism has been extensively documented by professor Brian Victoria
(in his book Zen at War
), who showed that Yasutani's views were by no means exceptional among Japanese Buddhists of the Zen and other sects. In 2000, the Sanbo Kyodan itself issued an apology for Yasutani's statements and actions during the Pacific War. According to its Japanese website, the Sanbo Kyodan now refuses to make Yasutani's books available to non-members. However, Yasutani's writings from before and after the war remain widely available in Japan in used bookstores and major libraries such as the National Diet Library
.
Soto
Sōtō Zen , or is, with Rinzai and Ōbaku, one of the three most populous sects of Zen in Japanese Buddhism.The Sōtō sect was first established as the Caodong sect during the Tang Dynasty in China by Dongshan Liangjie in the 9th century, which Dōgen Zenji then brought to Japan in the 13th century...
Rōshi
Roshi
is a Japanese honorific title used in Zen Buddhism that literally means "old teacher" or "elder master" and sometimes denotes a person who gives spiritual guidance to a Zen sangha or congregation...
and the founder of the Sanbo Kyodan
Sanbo Kyodan
Sanbo Kyodan is a Zen sect derived from both the Rinzai and Soto traditions of Japanese Zen.-History:...
Zen Buddhist organization.
Biography
Ryōkō Yasutani (安谷 量衡) was born in Japan in Shizuoka PrefectureShizuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun...
.
At the age of 13 he was ordained at a Sōtō
Soto
Sōtō Zen , or is, with Rinzai and Ōbaku, one of the three most populous sects of Zen in Japanese Buddhism.The Sōtō sect was first established as the Caodong sect during the Tang Dynasty in China by Dongshan Liangjie in the 9th century, which Dōgen Zenji then brought to Japan in the 13th century...
temple and given the name Hakuun. He began training in 1925 under Harada Daiun Sogaku
Harada Daiun Sogaku
Daiun Sogaku Harada Rōshi was a Sōtō Zen monk who trained under both Soto and Rinzai teachers and became known for his teaching combining methods from both schools.- Biography :...
, who was formally a Sōtō
Soto
Sōtō Zen , or is, with Rinzai and Ōbaku, one of the three most populous sects of Zen in Japanese Buddhism.The Sōtō sect was first established as the Caodong sect during the Tang Dynasty in China by Dongshan Liangjie in the 9th century, which Dōgen Zenji then brought to Japan in the 13th century...
Rōshi
Roshi
is a Japanese honorific title used in Zen Buddhism that literally means "old teacher" or "elder master" and sometimes denotes a person who gives spiritual guidance to a Zen sangha or congregation...
and had studied Zen under both Sōtō
Soto
Sōtō Zen , or is, with Rinzai and Ōbaku, one of the three most populous sects of Zen in Japanese Buddhism.The Sōtō sect was first established as the Caodong sect during the Tang Dynasty in China by Dongshan Liangjie in the 9th century, which Dōgen Zenji then brought to Japan in the 13th century...
and Rinzai masters. Hakuun Yasutani received Dharma transmission
Dharma transmission
Dharma transmission refers to "the manner in which the teaching, or Dharma, is passed from a Zen master to their disciple and heir...
from him in 1943.
At this time in Japan Sōtō Zen practice had become rather methodical and ritualistic. Yasutani felt that practice and realization was lacking. He broke away from the Sōtō sect and in 1954 established his own organization as independent school of Zen Sanbō Kyōdan (Fellowship of the Three Treasures). After that his efforts were directed primarily toward the training of lay practitoners. The Sanbõ Kyõdan incorporates Rinzai methods (Kōan work) as well as much of Soto tradition, a style Yasutani had learned from his teacher Harada Daiun Sogaku.
Yasutani first traveled to United States in 1962 when he was already in his seventies. He became known and has indirectly influenced many people through the book The Three Pillars of Zen. The book was compiled by Philip Kapleau
Philip Kapleau
Philip Kapleau was a teacher of Zen Buddhism in the Sanbo Kyodan tradition, a blending of Japanese Sōtō and Rinzai schools.-Early life:...
. It contains short biography of Yasutani and his Introductory Lectures on Zen Training. The lectures were the first instructions on how to do zazen
Zazen
In Zen Buddhism, zazen is a meditative discipline practitioners perform to calm the body and the mind, and be able to concentrate enough to experience insight into the nature of existence and thereby gain enlightenment .- Significance :Zazen is considered the heart of Zen Buddhist practice...
ever published in English. The book also has Yasutani's Commentary on the Koan Mu
and somewhat unorthodox reports of his dokusan interviews with Western students.
Extreme Political Views
Like Harada, through the end of the Pacific WarPacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
, Yasutani was a vigorous supporter of Imperial Japan's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was a concept created and promulgated during the Shōwa era by the government and military of the Empire of Japan. It represented the desire to create a self-sufficient "bloc of Asian nations led by the Japanese and free of Western powers"...
policy and even in his writings on Buddhist subjects expressed views strongly supporting ultra-nationalism, the anti-democratic Kokutai
Kokutai
Kokutai is a politically loaded word in the Japanese language, translatable as "sovereign", "national identity; national essence; national character" or "national polity; body politic; national entity; basis for the Emperor's sovereignty; Japanese constitution". "Sovereign" is perhaps the most...
system of imperial autocracy
Autocracy
An autocracy is a form of government in which one person is the supreme power within the state. It is derived from the Greek : and , and may be translated as "one who rules by himself". It is distinct from oligarchy and democracy...
, militarism
Militarism
Militarism is defined as: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests....
and vehement anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
. As in his criticism of other writers on Buddhism such as Kaiten Nukariya (忽滑谷 快天) and others, the tone of his comments frequently rose to the level of vitriol. He also routinely referred to China as Shina
Shina (word)
are Romanized Japanese transliterations for the Chinese character compound "支那" which is viewed by most Chinese people as an offensive term for China...
, which, then as now, most Chinese consider condescending and derogatory and which the government under the Occupation of Japan banned in official government usage. Upon the end of the war, Yasutani quickly became silent about his pre-war support for imperialism but retained a strongly conservative and anti-communist tone in his writing.
Yasutani's political extremism and intense support for Japanese imperialism has been extensively documented by professor Brian Victoria
Zen at War
Zen at War is a book written by Brian Daizen Victoria, first published in 1997. The second edition appeared in 2006. The book focuses on the history of Zen Buddhism and Japanese militarism from the time of the Meiji Restoration through the Second World War and the post-War period...
(in his book Zen at War
Zen at War
Zen at War is a book written by Brian Daizen Victoria, first published in 1997. The second edition appeared in 2006. The book focuses on the history of Zen Buddhism and Japanese militarism from the time of the Meiji Restoration through the Second World War and the post-War period...
), who showed that Yasutani's views were by no means exceptional among Japanese Buddhists of the Zen and other sects. In 2000, the Sanbo Kyodan itself issued an apology for Yasutani's statements and actions during the Pacific War. According to its Japanese website, the Sanbo Kyodan now refuses to make Yasutani's books available to non-members. However, Yasutani's writings from before and after the war remain widely available in Japan in used bookstores and major libraries such as the National Diet Library
National Diet Library
The is the only national library in Japan. It was established in 1948 for the purpose of assisting members of the in researching matters of public policy. The library is similar in purpose and scope to the U.S...
.
See also
- Buddhism in JapanBuddhism in JapanThe history of Buddhism in Japan can be roughly divided into three periods, namely the Nara period , the Heian period and the post-Heian period . Each period saw the introduction of new doctrines and upheavals in existing schools...
- Buddhism in the United StatesBuddhism in the United StatesBuddhism is one of the largest religions in the United States behind Christianity, Judaism and Nonreligious, and approximate with Islam and Hinduism. American Buddhists include many Asian Americans, as well as a large number of converts of other ethnicities, and now their children and even...
- Buddhism in the WestBuddhism in the WestBuddhism in the West broadly encompasses the knowledge and practice of Buddhism outside of Asia. Occasional intersections between Western civilization and the Buddhist world have been occurring for thousands of years, but it was not until the era of European colonization of Buddhist countries in...
- Timeline of Zen Buddhism in the United StatesTimeline of Zen Buddhism in the United StatesBelow is a timeline of important events regarding Zen Buddhism in the United States. Dates with "?" are approximate.-Early history:* 1893: Soyen Shaku comes to the United States to lecture at the World Parliament of Religions held in Chicago...