Introduction
The Novice to Master: An Ongoing Lesson in the Extent of My Own Stupidity by Morinaga is an exciting autobiography with significant life lessons. The book is divided into three parts, including the novice, training, and master, respectively, each of which represents a stage in Morinaga’s life. The central theme is the quest to gain knowledge and stability, which facilitated the transition of the protagonist from an ignorant boy to a monk, full of wisdom. The aim of this essay is to provide a response to the first chapter of each section.
The Prospect of My Own Death
The context for this chapter is Japan, during and shortly after the Second World War. Morinaga states in the introduction that the phrase to represent his forty years as a monk is “an ongoing lesson in the extent of my own stupidity” (Moraniga 2019, 15). He further explains how some understanding can only be acquired through experience. Next, the author narrates how students pursuing arts and literature were drafted to join the army and fight in the Second World War since those subjects were considered insignificant. It is at this point that Morinaga saw the reality of death. Nonetheless, they were urged to believe that death was a small sacrifice for the just war. On August 15, 1945, Japan unconditionally surrendered to the allies, and the author realized that aggression stirred up the battle (Moraniga 2019). Furthermore, those responsible for the fight were to be executed.
One of the Buddhist concepts that are apparent in this chapter is Zen training, which is not intended for cramming but transforming false imaginations and thoughts. The idea of Pāli: dukkha, which means suffering or dissatisfaction, is also present. When the writer, at the age of 18 years, is compelled to leave his studies and join the army, he is stressed. The only consolation he has is that the fight is more important than clinging to one’s life. It is never in the interest of Buddhists to surrender or be a slave to an individual, but, in this case, he was subject to the government. In addition, anatta, which holds that there exists no permanent pattern of an identity, is apparent in the passage. The author has “no self,” as evident in changes from student to a soldier ready to die for his county and then to a person seeking insights.
As a student who is not studying mathematics, science, or other technological subjects, I can relate to Morinaga. Convincing my parents that all disciplines are relevant was not as easy as they urged me to pursue a course in Engineering. The frustration of stopping school due to the perception that a person is doing an irrelevant study can be stressful. Worse still, the author and his colleagues were given a death sentence, which they were expected to embrace as loyal citizens. I think that Moraniga never processed his circumstances because it was easier to obey than to question authority. Ironically, the students never protested despite the belief that literature students would “design arguments, and generally agitate the national spirit” (Moraniga 2019, 17). Their silence and decision to bow to the unfair authority connotes that they were in shock.
On the concept of Pāli: dukkha, I can remember different occasions when I have been dissatisfied with decisions imposed on me. For example, there was a time when my mother said that I had to go for a counseling session because I was acting stressed. Furthermore, my persona continues to be adjusted as I learn and experience different situations. For example, when I was in junior levels of studies, my worldview was that the sole purpose of education was to get a career. Currently, that perception has changed as I regard education as a means to attain knowledge.
A Heart that Does not Move
In this chapter, Morinaga reflects on an incident that he encountered some year back in London. Specifically, a man who had, for at least six years, practiced Zazen was bothered that he was yet to achieve a heart that does not move. The person narrated how he felt angered by a stranger who showed no remorse after stepping on him. The writer disabused his notion stating that a still mind is the one that a human is born with, it cannot be changed. To further explain his position, he introduces the teachings on samadhi and the innate abilities of the soul. The implication from the teaching is that the purpose of joining Zen is to awaken the innate power of the still mind rather than obtain it.
The writer introduces the notion of Zazen, a Buddhist meditation where a person sits in a specific position for a long time. Another related term is samadhi, which bears two contrasting definitions, “perfect reception” and “perfect non-reception” (Mrinaga 2019, 82). The former is conceptualized in the present state while the latter implies both past and future instances. The insight in this concept is that to perfectly understand what is happening now, a person has to completely concentrate by not remembering the bygones, and not imagining the forthcoming. Zen is, thus, the heart which does not get entangled with past experiences and future perceptions. All the concepts are relevant for concentration and attaining self-control.
I contend with the author that some attributes are not acquired through training. For example, there was a time when I went to visit my aunt and cousins for one week. In the event of my stay, some money was misplaced, and the immediate suspect was me. Later, one of the children found the money, and they all felt remorseful for interrogating me. I felt offended but later decided to forget what they did because I wanted peace to prevail. I believe that I was able to exercise Zen at that point, despite not having trained the Zazen. The ability to withstand pressure and move on despite being hurt is an inborn characteristic that cannot be cultivated through training.
What’s It All About?
Morinaga begins this chapter by explaining his philosophy and mission as a teacher after completing the training process. His ultimate goal is for all human beings to “live this life completely, in the most real sense… with satisfaction and with peace of mind” (Morinaga 2019, 111). He narrates how his younger relative came to seek his wisdom on the subject of religion. His response was that it is all about life, which should be understood in terms of losses rather than gains. Everything on earth is metamorphosed into three stages, including maturing, maintenance, and emptiness (Morinaga 2019). Understanding that a person is destined to die helps them to be more conscious and appreciative of their life. The conclusion is that religion is not only relevant but is also something that everyone must experience on their own.
The contemporary Buddhist notions of impermanence, relative truth, happiness, and emptiness are apparent in the chapter. For instance, seeing people gain happiness is the sole purpose of Morinaga’s teaching. The truth about doctrinal faith is relative as must be practically experienced by oneself. In addition, life is always changing as person losses things until the point of death, which is voidness. These concepts help a person to plan because they come to the realization that the opportunities available at the prime of life are temporary.
The teachings on existentialism are common in all belief systems as people endeavor to find meaning. Therefore, as implied by Morinaga, I believe that all people are, to some extent, religious. I am at the prime of my age, so I tend to view life as involving the gains I can achieve. However, this chapter has enabled me to think about the vanity and transitionary nature of life. If I internalize the fact that one day the sting of death is sure to come, then I will be in a better position to enjoy every second.
Conclusion
From the time a child is born, they start a journey with many encounters and experiences, which make them outgrow their naivety and gain wisdom. Throughout Morinaga’s memoir, the theme of transition is apparent. In the first chapter, the writer is forced to leave his education for a more worthy course only to discover that what he was ready to lay down his life for was a war of aggression. Dissatisfaction and stress creep, but he is determined to gain understanding. The concept of the immovable heart in the narrative shows that sometimes, people miss the reason for the Zen practice and end up frustrated. Lastly, the discussion on existentialism from religious perspectives awakens a person to change their worldview concerning life. Overall, I found Morinaga’s memoir thrilling to read and enlightening in various ways.
Reference
Morinaga, Soko. 2019. Novice to Master: An Ongoing Lesson in the Extent of My Own Stupidity. Portland: Wisdom Publications.