The Notch

August 30, 2009 Will Simpson

"The Notch", number 147 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Today's miniature hinges on the taking up of a traditional craft from a different culture and how some aspects of this transmission are misappropriated. The example used is the one where Korean potters notched the bottoms of their seconds and there apprentices liked this practice so much that they notched even the best of their work.

Speaking of craft and cross cultural messaging, I am interested in the knife making skills of Joel Bukiewicz, a Brooklyn based writer turned knife maker. In the short video below he talks about how some of the best cutlery today comes from Japan. I feel he is too modest and has refined the art of cutlery and added cultural flares that would be sacrilegious in Japan. Namely the colorful handles.

Below is a repost the video from a few days ago and an added second.

Any error or confusion created by my commentary on
Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.

The Turnover

August 30, 2009 Will Simpson

"The Turnover", number 146 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

There was a dramatic turning point in the war with Japan. The Emperor of Japan surrendered and the country started the process of rebuilding.

During this time there were amazing and previously unthinkable events. While Aitken was waiting for his repatriation, the leaders of his group were asked by the Japanese, when building dance halls for the occupation forces, should they build separate ones for officers and enlisted men or not.

This is a complete and utter acceptance of the new situation.

Here is the lesson for all of us zennies. Accept every new situation with the same gusto. And every situation is new, even those that are repeated endlessly.

I found this reproduction of a BBC program about Zen in Japan on youtube. It is in 8 parts but each are short. If you practice zazen, you'll be in for a treat during the last 3 minutes of the program. There is some great footage of old training centers in Japan.

Zen Buddhism: The Land of the Disappearing Buddha, a 1977 BBC Production.

Old Asian Women

August 28, 2009 Will Simpson

"Old Asian Women", number 145 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Old Asian Women seem to be some of the most durable people around. Why is this the case? Hard work, family ties, a go with the flow attitude. Doing what needs being done. This is also the way of Zen.

I've been thinking about obsession lately. In this context I view obsession as uplifting as apposed to an irrational drive. Obsession is defined as a compulsive or irrational preoccupation, an unhealthy fixation. And yet, it could also be seen as a strong drive for excellence, an immersion into the art, a single pointed endeavor, focus.

I came acrossthis short video of a Joel Bukiewicz, knife maker in Brooklyn who is obsessed withkitchen cutlery. Most excellent.

This embodies my feelings about wooden spoons. Only my execution needs work.

This reminds me of my friend, Doug Stowe who is an evangelist for making things with hands. A hand made world in which we learn and socialize via the work of our hands. We in America have gotten so far from this. So much education, work and social activities have neglected the value of hand skills.

In some arenas, hand skills have not only been neglected but are denigrated. There is so much to this world of the hand. An aesthetic and intimacy that is uncommon.

Picture Brides

August 26, 2009 Will Simpson

"Picture Brides", number 144 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Propinquity is the effect describing the tendency of relationships to be formed by people living in proximity to one another. In today's miniature, Japanese American's ordered 'picture brides' from Japan and when they arrived 'propinquity' lead some to develop love relationships with the older Japanese men who paid their way to America. Quoting Aitken's Nana "propinquity propinks". Propinks is not a real word but poets and literary types make use of it anyway.

The earliest literary use of this phrase comes from the tile of Chapter 21 in Ian Flemings 'Diamonds are Forever' - 'Nothing Propinks Like Propinquity' published in 1956.

In Robert Aitken's other book "Zen Master Raven" there is the scene in the book called. "Propinquity". Here is how it goes.

Propinguity

Cougar also came by that evening for the first time. After Raven's final response to Gray Wolf, he asked, "Then is karma just cause and effect?"

Raven said, "Propinquity propinks."

Cougar shook his head vigorously and said, "Sometimes it makes me irritated."

Raven said, " Your great chance."

As the Raven said, "Propinquity propinks." This 'propinks' is the verb form of propinquity. This is like the phrases "antiquity antinks" and "ubiquity ubinks", which are poetically cute. Obviously Aitken propinks propinquity!

Rev. Pierre Taigu Turlur talks about shikantaza, Dogen's unique style of meditation and ango, a traditional 100 day practice period in a couple of nice youtube videos.

Shikantaza

Medium

Miles Carey

August 24, 2009 Will Simpson

"Miles Carey", number 143 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In this miniature Aitken shares with us more about community building and the relationships that occur because of our actions.

The unintentional consequences of Miles Carey's leadership lead to a community that quietly honored him by popularizing the naming of babies "Miles".

This reminds me of a Taoist parable.

There is a story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit.

"Such bad luck," they said sympathetically.

"We'll see," the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses.

"How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed.

"We'll see," replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.

"We'll see," answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.

"We'll see" said the farmer.

"TA DAH!"

August 23, 2009 Will Simpson

"TA DAH!", number 142 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The title of this miniature sounds like the big deal "TA DAH!" Yet what is pointed out is the opposite. In the lingo of Hawaiians, 'no make tada' is the admonition towards modesty.

Subtle nomenclature, language of the community. This is the glue of friends and family.

"TA DAH!"

August 23, 2009 Will Simpson

"TA DAH!", number 142 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.