【The sixth day】
The 6th day night, Hakuin-zenji said that when Eizai zenji(the founder of Rinzai-sect in Japan) went to China, he got sick because of heat.
At that time, a Chinese old man recommended to drinking tea to Eiza zenji, soon he had recovered from the sickness.
Then, Eizai-zenji brought the seed of tea to Japan and he presented it to Emperor.
Emperor ordered to plant it to Uji(next of Kyoto).
And he presented it to Myoe-shonin, the friend of Eizai-zenji. He planted it to Toganoo(in Kyoto).
Therefore, Eizai-zenji and Myoe-shonin is called the founder of tea in Japan.
The efficacy of the tea is in the bitterness.
The bitterness is good to maintain the heart.
When the heart is good condition, the other internal organs are also good condition.
Myoue-jonin said that the effect of the tea deletes sleepiness, disciples had better train while drinking tea.
Also, asceticism is the best way for cultivating the heart.
If you entirely try to asceticism with vividness professionally, your mind will clear naturally.
Jimyo-osho said "The old saying that if you try to asceticism surely you will get enlightenment."
Or Zenkansakushin(book) said "If you don't take a rest by your mind, you can improve."
Therefore, trying to asceticism is important for disciple.
Recently, there is a monk, name Bunmei-osho who came from Tohoku area. He wanted to be the disciple of mine(Hakuin-zenji). Though he was thinking to visit to me for shugyo, he had to spent 6 year for the preparation.
When Bunmei met me, I said "Even if you are high rank priest, it doesn't mind for me. If your eye is not clear for the truth, you are just kids. You will be denounced a lot. If you cannot trying to asceticism purely because of your evil mind of like chasing rank and authority with haughty, all of your asceticism is meaningless."
Bunmei said "I am a just like as a beginner trainee monk, I wish to enter to the dojo for the great truth. Sir, please do not hesitate to coach me mercilessly. I will do shugyo at the risk of life even if you scold sharply to me, or even if you hit by stick to me innumerably."
Then I permitted him to enter to the dojo.
During one summer term, 90days, he tried shugyo very much. He was scolded and he was hit. But he continued Zen shugyo.
Finally, he got enlightenment and he enlightened the truth of Zen philosophy.
Before going back to home, Bunmei swore for being my disciple in his life entirely.
As you read it, you can get the truth if you have the intrepid determination. Try hard.
#zen #Hakuin #Rinzai
*Translated by NAKADAI
