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Buddhist : Zen / Chan

18th Century

Japan
(East Asia)

Hakuin

Timeline (1686 - 1768)

Poems by Hakuin
Books - Links

Hakuin, Hakuin poetry, Buddhist, Buddhist poetry, Zen / Chan poetry, poetry, poetry

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The Zen master Hakuin Ekaku, sometimes called Hakuin Zenji, was born Sugiyama Iwajiro in a small Japanese coastal village at the foot of Mt. Fuji.

When he was seven years old, Hakuin heard the reciting of a Buddhist sutra that described the terrors of hell. This so frightened the boy that he resolved to become a monk, in order to avoid such torments.

Though his parents opposed his decision, Hakuin took monastic vows at the age of 15.

He studied the Buddhist scriptures intensely, but was deeply shaken by reading of the painful death of a famous Chinese Chan master. The young Hakuin lost his faith in the Buddhist path for a while, hiding himself in the study of literature.

But, at the age of 22, he had his first experience of satori or enlightenment when he heard a sentence from a Buddhist scripture being recited.

After that, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the full realization of Nirvana, unshakable peace.

At this time, Zen Buddhism had become the court religion and, in its preeminence, lost much its inner spiritual vitality. Hakuin is credited with saving the tradition from its decline virtually single-handedly, returning Zen to its rich spiritual essence.

He organized koan training (authoring the famous koan, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?") and re-emphasized the zazen practice of sitting meditation.

Hakuin's reforms were highly effective, as seen by the profound impact Zen has in the world of spiritual practice today.

Poems by Hakuin

	Hakuin's Song of Zazen
	Past, present, future: unattainable
	The monkey is reaching
	You no sooner attain the great void
	The Form of the Formless (from Hakuin's Song of Zazen)

Recommended Books

	Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin, by Norman Waddell Amazon.com
	Secrets of the Blue Cliff Record: Zen Comments by Hakuin and Tenkei, Translated by Thomas Cleary Amazon.com
	Wild Ivy: The Spiritual Autobiography of Zen Master Hakuin, Translated by Norman Waddell Amazon.com
	The Zen Koan, by Isshu Miura / Ruth Fuller Sasaki Amazon.com
	Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter, Translated by Lucien Stryk / Translated by Takashi Ikemoto Amazon.com

Related Links:

	Hakuin http://www.geocities.com/ganesha_gate/hakuin.html A good extended biography of Hakuin.
	The Zen Teachings of Hakuin http://hjem.get2net.dk/civet-cat/zen-writings/hakuin.htm Several recorded talks given by Hakuin on Zen practice.
	Theosophy Library Online - Great Teacher Series - HAKUIN http://theosophy.org/tlodocs/teachers/Hakuin.htm An article on Hakuin from a Theosophical perspective.
	Hakuin Ekaku (1685 -1768) http://www.terebess.hu/zen/hakuin.html A nice site with links to many of Hakuin's writings online and several beautiful Zen portraits.

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Hakuin

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Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

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