Introduction
It is important to note that Novice to Master is a contemporary spiritual classic. Zen abbot Soko Morinaga describes his rigorous training at a Japanese Zen temple, spiritual development, and interactions with his students and others in his distinctly humorous and bluntly direct style. Morinaga’s voice is remarkably attuned to people’s mental and spiritual states, and his reflections and interpretations are straightforward and concise. His greatest talent is to uplift the reader’s spirits while simultaneously highlighting people’s frailties and humility, none more so than his own.
The Prospects of My Own Death
The chapter focuses on the subject of death and the finality of life. The author states: “Zen training is not a matter of memorizing the wonderful words found in the sutras.. Rather, these words must serve as an impetus to crush the false notions of one’s imagination” (Morinaga, 2002, p. 16). In other words, the only thing that gives people peace of mind and allows them to carry on with their lives is ignorance of how soon death will arrive. However, after passing the physical exam that would arrive at any moment, the idea of one’s impending death was unexpectedly shoved into a person’s mind (Morinaga, 2002). It is stated that excellent medicine has an unappealing taste, and the medication that awakens individuals to their idiocy is indeed unpleasant (Morinaga, 2002). Thus, the chapter is about a transition from ‘foolishness’ to courage to face the reality of death.
The idea of that chapter is about life and death and how we should not take the chance to live for granted. Buddhism asserts that consciousness (the spirit), which survives death and can reincarnate, is tied to life and death. Death may be the means of liberation from the circle of life, death, and reincarnation. Different Buddhist traditions have different ceremonies and, in some cases, distinct beliefs about dying. Tibetan Buddhism has set rituals and processes that must be followed during dying. For instance, a few prayers are performed in the days immediately following death, before death, and while one is dying.
In the case of my own life, the lesson is a vital one since I fear the finiteness of my life greatly. By reading the chapter, I came to a realization that it is this finality that makes life precious and worthy of appreciation. In addition, the fact that life ends at some point is, in fact, a saving grace since permanent existence would eventually become a curse.
No End to Practice
The chapter is about putting the role and purpose of practice into perspective in order to educate the reader about the concept of enlightenment. The author writes: “enlightenment is liberation from the dross of learning and experience that, without one’s being aware of it, has accumulated and settled like so much sediment” (Morinaga, 2002, p. 107). He provides an analogy with cholesterol in one’s blood, where the chemical is simply a manifestation of the heart in a format that is formless, shapeless, and non-abiding (Morinaga, 2002). The author argues that “enlightenment is not an endpoint, but rather a starting point” (Morinaga, 2002, p. 108). He further emphasizes the fact that practice is a pathway to enlightenment with the goal of regaining what was lost.
Their teaching associated with that chapter is enlightenment and the means of achieving it for a person. In other words, Zen practice is not about acquiring some new power but rather regaining the vision or sight which was always present in a practitioner. In a sense, the chapter makes a great effort to reorganize how people might think about practice and enlightenment in a conventional sense.
For the application in my own life, the chapter had a profound influence on how I view practice and discipline. I have always thought that any endeavor must have an end goal or final state from which I would not have a need to practice any longer. However, the author makes an insightful point, which shifted my own paradigm about my pursuits and goals. For instance, if I wish to become fit and healthy, I should not view the changes I am introducing now as temporary. A more metaphorical expression would be the notion that practice is not a journey to the mountaintop but rather a method of staying there.
What’s It All About?
The chapter begins by outlining that the conventional wisdom on the purpose of life is simply one perspective among many. The author provides a series of examples of how life is not about building something or leaving a form of legacy behind (Morinaga, 2002). He writes: “no matter how a person looks at it, one comes to feel acutely that human life is not a matter of gaining, but of losing” (Morinaga, 2002, p. 113). Essentially, the author sets up a premise for what truly is the ultimate objective of life tranquility.
Teaching associated with the chapter is satori, which refers to peace of mind. It is important to note that the author strongly stresses that the main purpose of religion is to live in a satisfying, full, and peaceful manner (Morinaga, 2002). He further highlights the key point with respect to the concept, which is about practice being the only pathway toward peace of mind. In other words, religion cannot be fruitfully useful for a person if he or she merely collects data and information about it. Thus, knowing facts about religion is not what all of this is about. Religion is essentially personal for every individual, which mandates practice to verify it for oneself.
In the case of my own life, the chapter is the most important piece of knowledge and wisdom I have received when it comes to religion. I now realize that it is not appropriate to approach religion from a scientific or information-based perspective. I will no longer view Christianity as a set of textual data encoded in the Bible but rather as a spiritual and practice-based endeavor. Therefore, the only way for me to become a truly religious person and understand its intricacies, values, and wisdom is to practice it rather than read or debate about its concepts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these three chapters are about the chances and hurdles one faces before one dies. The chapter selected from the novice section brings a reader back to reality from his or her ignorance. The second part educates and illuminates the direct goals of the practice, which highlights its perpetuity in achieving enlightenment. The chapter from the master section provides the final and most critical piece of information on what religion is truly about, which makes the previous section make sense to the fullest extent.
Reference
Morinaga, S. (2002). Novice to master: An ongoing lesson in the extent of my stupidity. Wisdom Publications.