“Seiza is a lifelong practice,” by 柳⽥誠⼆郎 Yanagida Seijiro (translated by Andrew James Brown & Miki Nakura from the book “岡⽥式 静坐のここ ろ”, The Heart of Okada Style Seiza)

Seiza is a lifelong practice,” by 柳⽥誠⼆郎 Yanagida Seijiro (translated by Andrew James Brown & Miki Nakura from the book “岡⽥式 静坐のここ ろ”, The Heart of Okada Style Seiza)

NB: If you would like to know more about practising Okada Style Seiza Meditation (Quiet Sitting), please click on this link.

Firstly, it is essential to understand that Seiza (静坐) is not something created by humans, but is entirely a natural and spontaneous Way (道). In this regard, I often cite the words of Hōnen Shōnin. Hōnen Shōnin said, “Water flows downward, and fire rises upward. This is Jinen-honi (⾃然法爾), the law of nature, that is, the natural law. Similarly, if a person sincerely entrusts oneself to the original vow of Amida and wholeheartedly recites ‘Namu Amida Butsu’ (南無阿弥陀仏, I take refuge in Amida Buddha.) [also referred to below as 唱名 shōmyō], they will surely be welcomed by the Buddha.” 

This is a profound teaching. Although I do not think Hōnen Shōnin was aware of things such as Earth’s gravity, the idea that if one recites the name of the Buddha (唱名 shōmyō) sincerely, one will surely receive the Buddha’s salvation, suggests that perhaps people are saved by a principle similar to that which governs the law of gravity. Okada [Torajiro]-sensei only said, “Do Seiza” (静坐をしなさい seiza wo shinasai) but he was teaching us that if we sit still, we will develop according to the laws of nature, and this is no different from what Hōnen Shōnin said. Hōnen Shōnin’s words, “Recite Namu Amida Butsu,” and Okada-sensei’s words, “Do Seiza,” both indicate the same thing. The practice of Seiza is not something created by humans. It is a law of nature.

In the book “Zhongyong” (中庸 “The Doctrine of the Mean”), it is stated, “What Heaven ordains is called nature, and following nature is called the Way.” Seiza is in accord with the mandate of Heaven and is not something created by humans. Both Hōnen Shōnin and Okada-sensei taught the Way made by Heaven, one through the recitation of the Name (唱名 shōmyō) and the other through Seiza. We only need to believe in and follow this Way. Therefore, the crucial issue is whether or not one follows this Way. Moreover, it is important to consider how deep or shallow your faith is and whether it endures. This is the major issue. The idea that Seiza is a lifelong practice emphasizes the importance of daily renewal and the opening up of new horizons. The sentiment of Hyakujō Oshō's (百丈和尚, a Zen master in China in the 8th century) saying, “A day without work is a day without food,” is of great significance. 

The second point to consider is the phrase from the “Lotus Sutra” that states, “Only a Buddha (仏 butsu) together with another Buddha can fathom the ultimate truth of all things.” To put this into simple words, it means, “The Way of the Buddha is only understood by the Buddha himself. It is difficult for ordinary people to comprehend.” This implies that the true meaning of practices such as the recitation of the Name (唱名 shōmyō) and Seiza is not easily understood by ordinary people. In reality, even those who practice Seiza find it challenging to grasp its true meaning and understand that through it they are progressing along their lifelong Way, striving diligently. The “Lotus Sutra” explains this difficulty in this manner. Those who aspire to Seiza must deeply ponder this matter. When people say that practising Seiza does not amount to much, this proves the truth of the words about the Way of the Buddha found in the Lotus Sutra. Seiza is a lifelong endeavour, and ultimately, it is about firmly understanding eternal life (永遠の⽣命 eien no seimei). Therefore, you must advance with a strong resolve. 

The last point I would like to mention is the teaching of Okada-sensei, who said, “I am not a teacher. I am one of the fellow practitioners. The teacher is God (神 kami). To follow God—this is the fundamental meaning of Seiza.” We practice Seiza because Okada-sensei said, “Through this Way, know yourself and grasp eternal life.” Seiza practitioners are directly connected to God or Buddha, always with God and Buddha, and are constantly engaged in their practice. This is true at all times. The saying, “The noble person is modest and does not do anything that would shame his conscience even alone in the hidden corners of the house where no one else is watching,” [君⼦は屋漏に愧じず] refers to this. Okada-sensei noted that Shinran Shōnin said, “I have no disciples,” and that Christ, as seen in the Gospel of Matthew, when asked, “Teacher, how can one attain eternal life?” replied, “I am not the teacher; only God is the teacher.” Okada-sensei clarified this point, showing Seiza practitioners the essence of the teachings of Seiza, and, at the same time, demonstrated the spirit of the vast and boundless love of the universe, which Seiza practitioners should fully understand.