Jikijitsu
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A jikijitsu (
History
[edit]Originally the name was given to the monk who was assigned to take care of the monastery's robes and bowls. The monks rotated this duty among themselves each day. Today a monk may be appointed to the position for the duration of a sesshin (possibly more than one consecutive day).[2]
Timekeeper
[edit]The jikijitsu is the timekeeper for sessions of zazen, kinhin (walking meditation), and meals.[2] Times during the daily schedule are signalled with wood blocks called han and with gongs, umpans and handbells.[2]
Keisaku
[edit]During zazen, the jikijitsu will walk around the zendo wielding a keisaku (a "staff of admonition" or Zen stick, Chinese: ching ts'e),[1] which is used to strike a student's back when they have lost focus. These strikes are generally not violent, and will often relieve muscle cramps for the individual being struck. They sound like a loud whack and can terrify newcomers, but they "are not particularly painful".[3] In the Rinzai school, the jikijitsu may strike a student without a student's request if they feel the student has gone astray. In the Sōtō school, a student will ask for a blow by placing both palms together in gassho as the jikijitsu walks in front of them.[4][5][6]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ a b Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki (2004). The Training of the Zen Buddhist Monk. pp. 93, 148, 159. ISBN 1-59605-041-1.
- ^ a b c Baroni, Helen Josephine (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Zen Buddhism. p. 161. ISBN 0-8239-2240-5.
- ^ Snyder, Gary (2002). Look Out: A Selection of Writings. p. 97. ISBN 0-8112-1525-3.
- ^ Kushner, 83
- ^ Rohlen, 38
- ^ Gard, 193
References
[edit]- Gard, Richard A. (2007). Buddhism. Gardners Books. ISBN 978-0-548-07730-6. OCLC 176932841.
- Kushner, Kenneth (2000). One Arrow, One Life: Zen, Archery, Enlightenment. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-8048-3246-3. OCLC 45381513.
- Rohlen, Thomas P.; Gerald K. LeTendre (1996). Teaching and Learning in Japan. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-65115-8. OCLC 41430994.
