Download Zen in the Martial Arts - Ross School Senior Projects

Nicki Keszler
Senior Project Paper
Zen in the Martial Arts
Martial Arts have been practiced since the earliest of times throughout the
entire world. Their origins are not always completely traceable but their reason
for existing and method of application are fairly universal. Martial arts are
systems of codified practices of training for combat that were primarily taught to
soldiers or warriors of any given culture at any given time period. The main
objective of all martial arts is above all to be capable of defending oneself from
physical threat and or harm. This is why they commonly fall under the category of
self-defense techniques. The term “Martial Arts” comes from the Greek god of
war, Mars, and originally referred to solely European forms of combat. Now, the
term has become synonymous with many oriental martial arts and basically any
form of structured self-defense or combat. Martial arts in the most traditional
sense were for solely combat or self-defense but in the modern world have now
leaked into other categories such as sport or dance. Many martial arts follow a
certain code of beliefs or moral structure many of which have been adapted from
oriental religions such as Hinduism, Daoism, Shintoism, Buddhism, or
Confucianism. This belief system that is engraved in most martial arts is what
makes martial arts more than structured combat but instead a way of life. Along
with fighting techniques many Asian martial arts also teach side disciplines that
pertain to medicinal practices such as acupuncture, qi gong, and bone-setting.
The early history and origins of martial arts are difficult to reconstruct.
Inherent patterns of human aggression, which inspire mock combat and
optimization of close combat, are doubtlessly inherited from a pre-human stage
of evolution and were made into an art from the earliest emergence of this
concept. Wrestling, for example, is a human universal and is also observed in
other great apes. Many commonalities among different martial arts are based off
of human physiology and are therefore not dependent on specific traditions or
eras. The earliest evidence of martial arts in the past comes from depictions in
figurative art and in early literature. There are many theories as to where and
when martial arts first originated, some believe in China in 1300 BC, others
believe Greece had the first martial art in 40 BC with wrestling, and others still
believe India is the birthplace of martial arts. We will never know for sure where
the very first structured form of combat training began but fact is that early martial
arts emerged all over the world at different times and began to merge and
influence each other. Africa is said to be the true home of a Brazilian martial art
influenced by dance called capoeira. Africa’s Zulu culture is also known to have
evidence of stick fighting. Asian roots of martial arts lie in China and India and
most likely began around 1000 BC. Martial arts existed in classical Europe most
notably in Greece where sports were an important part of daily life. Boxing,
wrestling, and pankration were represented in the ancient Olympic games.
European influence in China and other Asian countries began the decline of local
martial arts especially with the invention of firearms. Martial arts declined in
Europe as well with the rise of firearms and because of this modern martial arts
with historical roots in Europe do not exist the way they do in Asia, since
traditional martial arts died out or turned into sport.
Martial arts vary widely and may focus on specific techniques or a
combination of techniques. It’s difficult to classify different martial arts because
there are so many criteria that one could sort them with. A popular way to define
a form of martial arts is to define how the martial artist is going to defend against
his opponent. Martial arts can be categorized in this sense as either having a soft
technique or a hard technique. Soft and hard when talking about a martial art
refer to the way techniques deal with the force of an attack. In a soft technique
the receiver uses the aggressor’s force and momentum against him by leading
the attack in a direction where the receiver will be positioned at an advantage.
The goal of soft arts is to be able to turn an adversary’s force to their
disadvantage, and to use the least possible amount of force oneself. Soft
defenses are usually considered circular; the way this works is similar to the way
a projectile may glance off a round or slanted surface without damaging it at all.
The lack of resistance while meeting an opponents force is referred to as
yielding. A technique applied in a soft manner is often applied when the person is
off-balance, which makes it easy for the person using the technique. This ease of
application was termed “maximum efficiency” by Kano Jigiro, the founder of judo.
A hard technique by contrast meets force with force either by directly blocking the
technique with a head-on block or by cutting through at an angle with ones own
force. It is sometimes said that hard styles rely primarily on superior strength or
conditioning to be successful, but in fact it is the specific mechanics of the
blocking actions that results in its success. Some styles of martial arts employ a
combination of hard and soft techniques. Many Chinese martial arts emphasize a
balance of yin and yang, in some styles these represent soft and hardness.
Another common way to categorize martial arts is by what their focus of attack is;
they focus either on striking, grappling, or weaponry. These categories also have
sub-categories that all martial arts fall into.
Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism. Zen emphasizes experiential
knowledge or wisdom as opposed to theoretical knowledge. This experiential
knowledge is commonly attained through meditation and dharma practice. Zen
asserts that all conscious beings have “Buddha-nature”. “Buddha-nature” refers
to an inner divinity that Zen Buddhists believe is present in all beings. The goal
of all Zen practitioners is to discover this inner divinity through meditation and
mindfulness of daily experiences. This search within or introspection is believed
to provide new perspectives and insights on existence, which ultimately lead to
enlightenment. In comparison to other Buddhist schools of thought Zen
deemphasizes use of religious texts and discussion on metaphysical questions
because it is believed that they lead practitioners to seek external answers rather
than searching within themselves for the direct intuitive solution. The main Zen
practice is seated meditation. In Zen meditation the practitioner strives to be
aware of the stream of thoughts allowing them to rise and pass away without
interference. Zen Buddhist meditation focuses on two themes; transforming the
mind and using it to explore itself and other phenomena. The practice of Zen
meditation is meant to allow the practitioner to directly experience the true nature
of reality. Although Zen Buddhism emphasizes the search for “Buddha-nature”
during meditation it is important that practitioners stay mindful and aware of
everyday experiences that could contain valuable life lessons.
Buddhism is a philosophy of personal development whereby the
practitioner works to understand his/her true nature and the laws of the universe
that control this world and everything in it. Martial arts are an internal process, a
gradual connection with one’s own deep-seated intuition. Zen and martial arts
are two practices that, although they may seem worlds apart, follow very similar if
not the same guiding principles and goals. Martial arts without Zen are merely
physical training or sport but with it they become a way of life. Martial arts in their
finest form are much more then a physical contest between two opponents.
Essentially they are avenues through which one can achieve spiritual serenity,
mental tranquility, and the deepest of self-confidence. Martial arts began to
develop this emphasis on personal spiritual growth in the sixteenth century when
the need for fighting skills in the orient diminished. The martial arts were
transformed from a practical means of combat to spiritual educational training
that emphasizes personal development. The role of Zen in the martial arts defies
easy definition because Zen has no theory; it is in inner knowing for which there
is no clearly stated dogma. Zen’s ultimate goal is to free the individual from
anger, illusion, and false passion as is that of martial arts.
I began my study of the martial arts early last year when I decided to make
that the focus of my senior project, since then I have noticed great changes in my
everyday life and my behavior. My training, physically, involved me taking up
karate lessons at a local dojo as well as gymnastics classes, both of which
greatly improved my physical strength, conditioning, and agility. In accordance
with the physical study of martial arts I began reading books on martial arts and
the Zen Buddhist characteristics that are embedded in them. As my training
persisted I continued to grow physically but I also began noticing changes in my
everyday life. As I began to acquire skill, I realized that I was simultaneously
tapping into the Zen mindset that fascinates me. As I became exhausted, I was
able to push that aside in my mind and experience a calming and energizing
state. Physically, I became able to sustain exercise at a level I had never before
achieved. I was able to focus more intently on lectures and on my homework. I
also found that I was naturally seeking organization in physical environment as
well as my written work. In terms of my senior project I think my training will give
me both the strength and confidence to perform in front of a crowd of my peers.
As for my martial arts career after my project, I hope to continue my pursuit of
both physical and mental excellence.
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