The Way of the Warrior - Chris Bradford [59]
It was clear Sensei Yamada didn’t want to hear an answer to his koan, but only for them to ponder on an answer. Unfortunately for Jack, he was still unable to focus properly and no solutions were forthcoming. The Daruma Doll still looked like a Daruma Doll, its sightless eyes as blank as Jack’s answer.
Jack’s mind wandered from the doll, thoughts flickering like shadows until the incense stick had burnt through and Sensei Yamada chimed, ‘Mokuso yame!’
Everyone ceased their attempts at meditation and there was an audible sigh of relief now that the task was over.
‘Well done, everyone. You have just learnt an important ideal of bushido,’ said Sensei Yamada, a smile of contentment spreading across his face as if the answer to the koan was as clear as daylight.
Jack still didn’t understand what the sensei was talking about. He glanced around and saw that many of the other students also had confused expressions on their faces. Enlightenment had clearly not graced them either. Kiku and Yori, however, appeared quite satisfied with their experiences.
‘Tonight I want you all to continue your meditation upon the doll. See what else you can learn from it.’ Sensei Yamada nodded sagely, suggesting there were many more truths to be discovered from the wooden toy. ‘The key to the art of Zen is daily regularity, so discipline yourself to meditate every morning and night for half a stick of time. Soon you will see life for what it is.’
He bowed, signifying the lesson was over. The students got to their feet and, bowing, departed with their Daruma Dolls in hand.
Jack shook the blood back into his legs and went to join Akiko, Kiku and Yamato.
‘Remember to paint in the first eye and make a wish!’ Sensei Yamada cheerily called after them, remaining perched upon the dais of cushions, still the genial toad on a lily pad.
Emerging from the dim Butsuden into the main courtyard, Jack had to shade his eyes against the winter sun, which had dipped low in the evening sky.
‘So, what was that all about?’ asked Saburo, who came shuffling down the Butsuden steps behind them.
‘I don’t know,’ replied Yamato. ‘Why not ask Kiku? She seems to know everything.’
‘You are supposed to work it out yourself,’ said Kiku, over her shoulder.
‘I still don’t get it,’ said Saburo. ‘It’s just a wish doll.’
‘No, it’s not. It’s more than that,’ responded Kiku.
‘That’s exactly what Sensei Yamada said. You’re just repeating his words. I reckon you don’t have a clue either,’ challenged Saburo.
‘Yes, I do,’ she replied primly and refused to say any more.
‘Will someone tell me what he meant?’ pleaded Saburo. ‘Akiko? Yamato?’
They both shrugged.
‘I would ask you, Jack, but you probably don’t even know what Zen is.’
He was right. Jack didn’t know. He had hoped someone would tell him, but hadn’t dared ask for fear of appearing even more stupid.
‘Seven times down, eight times up,’ said a tiny flute-like voice.
They all turned to see Yori coming down the steps towards them.
‘What?’
‘Seven times down, eight times up. No matter how often you are knocked down, get up and try again. Like the Daruma Doll.’
They all stared at Yori in bewilderment.
‘Sensei Yamada taught us a vital lesson in budo. Never give up.’
‘Why didn’t he just tell us that?’ said Saburo.
‘That’s not the way Zen works,’ said Kiku, clearly annoyed at Yori for revealing the answer. She turned to Jack as if offering the explanation for his benefit. ‘Zen emphasizes the idea that ultimate truth in life must be experienced first-hand, rather than pursued through study.’
‘Sorry?’ said Jack, desperately trying to grasp the concept.
‘Sensei Yamada is meant to guide us, not instruct us. You are meant to discover the answer for yourself. If Sensei Yamada had just told you the answer, you wouldn’t have understood its true meaning.’
‘I would have!’ interrupted Saburo. ‘It’d have saved me a lot of brain-ache too!’
That night, Jack lit a short stick