NARRATED BY KAISO DOSHIN SO

Brought to you by Kongo school of Zen

Branch – India

www.kongozen.org

Fb: ikongozen

I compiled the teachings of

Kongo Zen. They are teachings

from the past, the simplest,

clearest teachings in existence,

preaching mutual respect

between people.

The present manji used by

Kongo Zen is in line with the

Buddhist concept and as a

symbol of Buddhism. Buddha

taught that when all coexisting

phenomenon lived in

accordance with the laws of

nature, absolute tranquility is

achieved – this being the

contents of perfect knowledge.

The manji stands for these

higher ideals which can only be

understood by those whho strive

for truth.

Shorinji Kempo was used only

as a means to spread these

teachings, which, like the

Baiyidian mural, have existed

since ancient times. Only the

organization has been changed,

to fit today’s environment. The

point is to use these teachings

skillfully.

Kongo Zen offers everyone a

spiritual foundation in the

present world, presenting the

wisdom of the Buddha in such a

way as to bring both physical

and mental peace, and

guarantee a happy and

satisfying life both materially and

spiritually.

I was agonized over the

question of how to put the

correct teachings of Buddha to

work in the present-day world.

One night I had a dream, A

heavily bearded Bodhidharma

appeared, pointed out

something to me with his finger

and moved quickly ahead.

Bodhidharma was telling me to

follow him. He was telling me

that no matter how eloquently

one may speak, people will not

follow on that basis alone.

I understood that I should

combine my preaching with the

instruction of the Arahan Chuan,

a teaching of Bodhidharma

originating in Ancient India,

which I had practiced with great

enthusiasm in my youth.

This, I was being told, was the

key to success.

Encouraged by this revelation, I

moved to establish a new

discipline, using ‘Ken’ as a main

pursuit. My goal was to

combine the teaching of the

correct way with instruction in

the discipline. In this way, I

wanted to allow young people in

search of the correct way to

develop firm mental strength

and a body as hard as a

diamond.

I organized this discipline as a

Buddhist approach, consisting of

the pursuit of unity of body and

mind, and unity of strength and

compassion.

I adopted the name of “Kongo

Zen,” the holy name of the Deva

Lord said to have founded the

Arahan Chuan in ancient India.

I reorganized the various types

of Chuan techniques that I had

learned in China, backed the

results with theory, and

formulated the overall approach

as a Buddhist religious

discipline.

The new discipline which I

began to advocate is today’s

Seito Shorinji Kempo.

Kongo Zen was established to

organize this as a spiritual

discipline.

Kongo Zen is not the type of

Buddhism which preach of

paradise or hell after death.

Kongo Zen is not a religion

which paid mere lip service to

enlightenment or oral Zen.

Kongo Zen is “putting the

secrets of techniques to work

in everyday life.” It is a

philosophy of harmony.

Kongo Zen teachings is most

steeped in humanity, offering

the greatest blend of material

and mental peace.

All things in this world are performed by human beings. It is all a matter of human

quality. Kongo Zen seeks to restructure the mind for this purpose: to draw forth a

sense of justice. Then, instill solid conviction, and move in a positive direction.

This is the way it must be done. This is the main reason for adopting this type of

pursuit in Kongo school of Zen.

The best way to bring about peace in

the world is through disciplined

training.

You should all have a firm grasp of what my motive was in beginning Kongo

Zen Shorinji Kempo. To improve oneself, and to improve the world. It

comes down to the desire for personal happiness, combined with the

yearning for the happiness of others.

Someone must forge a road. I began Kongo Zen Shorinji Kempo to forge

such a road and to develop leaders.