"Zen Buddhism and Japanese Calligraphy: Shodo" - With William Reed
05/19/21 • 48 min
Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.
As we deepen the understanding of Japanese Buddhism, we realize Buddhism permeates many aspects of the Japanese culture. There is a reflection of Buddhism in the Japanese language, art, mannerisms, and so on. So, if we wish to have a better understanding of Japanese culture and its people, learning something about Buddhism is a good idea. Today, we have an incredible guest. I mean really incredible... We are going to have a Japanese calligrapher, Shodo Master, William Read. He will talk about the relationship between Shodo (simply translated Japanese calligraphy) and Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism.
We will be asking important questions such as:
So what is Shodo? What is the difference between Shuji and Shodo?
How’s the relationship between Shodo and Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism?
How does Shodo help the students of Zen have a deeper understanding of Koan?
Can you show us some examples of Shodo so that we can visualize the concept that we’ve talked about?
Can we do Shodo as a form of meditation?
What is the relationship between Shodo practice and Budo practice?
William Reed is from the USA, but is a long-time resident of Japan. Currently a professor at Yamanashi Gakuin University, in the International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA), where he teaches Calligraphy and Kanji Culture, as well as other courses related to Samurai Code and Culture, and is Co-Director of Japan Studies. As a Calligrapher, he holds the highest possible rank, a 10th-dan in Shodo and is Vice-Chairman of the Nihon Kyoiku Shodo Renmei, and is also a Certified Graphology Adviser from the Japan Graphologist Association. He has won numerous awards in International Competitions, and regularly participates in Exhibitions in Ginza Tokyo, and did a full private exhibition in the lobby of the Yamanashi Chuo Bank Headquarters. He has done live performances of Calligraphy on Stages, Historic Sites, for Martial Arts Magazines and Dojos, Sunto Shrines, and Zen Temples. He has published a book on Shodo in English, as well as two papers on Shodo for the Japan Creativity Society.
As a Martial Artist, he holds an 8th-dan in Aikido from the Aikido Yuishinkai. He has been Awarded the OSS Taisho, the Highest Award from the Scottish Samurai Awards, for contributions to education about Japanese Culture. He has written a bestseller in Japanese on World Class Speaking.
A regular television commentator for Yamanashi Broadcasting, he also has appeared numerous times on NHK World Journeys in Japan, and in documentaries as a navigator on traditional Japanese history and culture. He has appeared twice on TEDx Stages in Japan (TEDxKG) and Norway (TEDxTrondheim).
Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.
As we deepen the understanding of Japanese Buddhism, we realize Buddhism permeates many aspects of the Japanese culture. There is a reflection of Buddhism in the Japanese language, art, mannerisms, and so on. So, if we wish to have a better understanding of Japanese culture and its people, learning something about Buddhism is a good idea. Today, we have an incredible guest. I mean really incredible... We are going to have a Japanese calligrapher, Shodo Master, William Read. He will talk about the relationship between Shodo (simply translated Japanese calligraphy) and Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism.
We will be asking important questions such as:
So what is Shodo? What is the difference between Shuji and Shodo?
How’s the relationship between Shodo and Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism?
How does Shodo help the students of Zen have a deeper understanding of Koan?
Can you show us some examples of Shodo so that we can visualize the concept that we’ve talked about?
Can we do Shodo as a form of meditation?
What is the relationship between Shodo practice and Budo practice?
William Reed is from the USA, but is a long-time resident of Japan. Currently a professor at Yamanashi Gakuin University, in the International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA), where he teaches Calligraphy and Kanji Culture, as well as other courses related to Samurai Code and Culture, and is Co-Director of Japan Studies. As a Calligrapher, he holds the highest possible rank, a 10th-dan in Shodo and is Vice-Chairman of the Nihon Kyoiku Shodo Renmei, and is also a Certified Graphology Adviser from the Japan Graphologist Association. He has won numerous awards in International Competitions, and regularly participates in Exhibitions in Ginza Tokyo, and did a full private exhibition in the lobby of the Yamanashi Chuo Bank Headquarters. He has done live performances of Calligraphy on Stages, Historic Sites, for Martial Arts Magazines and Dojos, Sunto Shrines, and Zen Temples. He has published a book on Shodo in English, as well as two papers on Shodo for the Japan Creativity Society.
As a Martial Artist, he holds an 8th-dan in Aikido from the Aikido Yuishinkai. He has been Awarded the OSS Taisho, the Highest Award from the Scottish Samurai Awards, for contributions to education about Japanese Culture. He has written a bestseller in Japanese on World Class Speaking.
A regular television commentator for Yamanashi Broadcasting, he also has appeared numerous times on NHK World Journeys in Japan, and in documentaries as a navigator on traditional Japanese history and culture. He has appeared twice on TEDx Stages in Japan (TEDxKG) and Norway (TEDxTrondheim).
Previous Episode
Practitioner’s Episode 14 - "Zen and Meditation" with Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.
We've heard the word Zen everywhere in American society. Americans use the word “Zen” a million times more than Japanese, so by this point the word is overused and oversaturated and we don't really even know what it means anymore. As a matter of fact, it is extremely difficult to define Zen because it’s an ultimately embodied practice: in other words, without actually “practicing” it, you will not even begin to understand the benefit of Zen. You cannot just theorize and intellectualize Zen! However, to do the show Zen in Carving the Divine TV, we will do our best to give you an idea of what you are getting into. Yes! We brought the best of the best. We have the legendary Soto Zen priest Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel today! We will discuss Zen for the people who have little or no experience in Zen. But, rest assured! We will start from the basics and then we will go in deep so that even those of you with experience will greatly benefit from the teachings of one the best Zen practitioners in the world!
We will be asking important questions such as:
What does Zen mean to you?
How is the Zen different/unique from other sects of Buddhism?
What kind of expectation do people have when they come to Zen practice?
What is the difference between therapy and dharma?
Is it wrong to look for spirituality in Zen?
What does “Zen is good for nothing” mean?
What are the benefits of Zen?
When do we see the benefit of Zen?
What is the difference between shikantaza and zazen?
"Zen and Meditation" - with Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel #carvingthedivine
What is the right posture of zazen? What the purpose of staring at the wall while sitting? What is the story behind “the white wall”?
How many hours do you expect to meditate if you are a beginner and how many hours do you meditate?
How could zen help to overcome difficult circumstances/situations such as discrimination (racism/sexism/homophobia)?
How can we do simple Zen meditation at home? Or can we do it?
Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, an ordained Zen Buddhist priest, is the author of The Deepest Peace: Contemplations From A Season of Stillness; Sanctuary: A Meditation on Home, Homelessness, and Belonging; and The Way of Tenderness: Awakening Through Race, Sexuality, and Gender. More at zenju.org
Next Episode
"Zen Buddhism and Chado (the way of tea)" - with Omar Francis
Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.
Today, we will be talking Chado. Chado simply translates to the way of tea. Sometimes it’s referred to as Japanese Tea Ceremony. But as usual, one word translation is never sufficient to demonstrate this rich culture. First we will discuss the simple explanation of Chado and connect Chado with Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism. Then, we will discuss many different influences on Chado over the centuries. You may be surprised that even Christianity may have influenced Chado! Yes, by studying more about Chado and Buddhism you will understand Japan more!
We will be asking important questions such as:
What is Chado?
What are some of the practices of Chado?
What are the differences between Chanoyu and Chado?
Do we always have to wear kimono when we do Chado?
What is the history of Chado?
Who is Senno Rikyu?
What is the relationship between Chado and Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism?
How does Chado help people to have a deeper understanding of Zen Buddhism?
Does Chado only influence Zen Buddhism?
Can you show us some examples of Chado so that we can visualize the concept that we’ve talked about?
Can Chado be a form of meditation?
Omar Francis is a licensed instructor in The Urasenke Tradition of Chadō, commonly known as the Japanese Tea Ceremony. First introduced to Chadō at the University of Illinois (USA) in 1992, he was later admitted into the Midorikai program for a year of intensive training at the Urasenke headquarters in Kyoto, Japan. Since then, he has continued his studies as a member of the Chicago Association of Urasenke, taking part in many educational and cultural activities. Francis Sensei is currently teaching at the Japanese Culture Center (japaneseculturecenter.com) in Chicago, IL. http://www.urasenke.or.jp/ Urasenke Konnichian
https://urasenkenorthamerica.org/ Chado Relay (also on facebook)
urasenkechicago.org Urasenke Chicago
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