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Bassui Zenji
Bassui Zenji Also Bassui Tokushō. (1327–87). Bassui was an itinerant zen practitioner of the Rinzai school, reformer, and popularizer. Fiercely independent by nature, he attached himself to neither school nor teacher, although in later years the enormous number of disciples who gathered around him (over a thousand by some accounts) forced him to settle down. He worked to demystify enlightenment (bodhi; satori) and show that it was within reach of any person, whether lay or monastic, male or female. He spoke in simple and direct words, and wrote in Japanese kana script rather than Chinese characters so as to reach a wider audience. He required only that people abide by the moral precepts and apply themselves energetically to their practice.
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DAMIEN KEOWN. "Bassui Zenji." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAMIEN KEOWN. "Bassui Zenji." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-BassuiZenji.html DAMIEN KEOWN. "Bassui Zenji." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-BassuiZenji.html |
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Bassui Zenji
Bassui Zenji ( Tokushō) (1327–87). Jap. Zen teacher of the Rinzai school. When he was 7, his father died, and this prompted him into dai-gidan, probing questions based on doubt which form one of the three foundation pillars of zazen, especially after Hakuin. This led to a number of enlightenment experiences, and to monastic ordination. He eventually consented to become abbot of a monastery, and died sitting in the lotus position (see PADMĀSANA), saying, ‘Do not be deceived: Look closely: what is this?’ His letters and some of his dharma instruction have been preserved: see P. Kapleau, The Three Pillars of Zen (1980).
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Cite this article
JOHN BOWKER. "Bassui Zenji." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Bassui Zenji." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-BassuiZenji.html JOHN BOWKER. "Bassui Zenji." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-BassuiZenji.html |
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