A quiet room is suitable

Hello,

Hashimoto Roshi's discussion of this phrase begins on p. 68 (thumbnail 69) of his commentary. I've included a short reflection based on it below.

--Erin

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A quiet room is suitable

In his close reading of the Fukanzazengi, Eko Hashimoto Roshi looks at every sentence and even every word of the text. Its second section begins:

Now in entering into Zen, a quiet room is suitable.

The first section of the Fukanzazengi is a kind of introduction and an encouragement: take a step backward, turn your light around to reflect on yourself. Your mind and body will naturally fall away and your original face will manifest itself. Then this second section tells one how to do that, and the first thing is this recommendation for a quiet room.

In commenting on this phrase, Hashimoto Roshi talks about Zen in motion and in quietude, and he advises against extremes, especially a desire to, as he says, “hide in the deep mountains.” He talks about a place to practice with other people. And, finally, he talks about the the original meaning of the word quiet, or jou, which was to be meticulously ordered.

The phrase “a quiet room is suitable” has come to mind for me pretty frequently in recent days and months. Turning the light around in the company of friends has been a good way to reorient, regroup, breath a little, and I’m grateful for it.