Martial Arts

​Because our Zen lineage stresses the embodied and intensely energetic nature of genuine practice, various kinds of physical culture have historically been valued. Traditional martial arts (bujutsu or budo) are especially useful, since they train the body-mind in a manner that complements Zen training well.

 

Some of our lineage ancestors, such as Omori Sogen Roshi, were dedicated practitioners of arts like swordsmanship. Our abbot also has trained deeply in various classical and modern martial traditions. All of this is part of our training in Zen-Ken-Sho. Polishing their spirits like swords through practice of these disciplines that arose on the edge of life and death, students learn the ultimate truth of the martial path: the true enemy to be defeated is not another person, but within ourselves.

​

At Korinji there both indoor and outdoor training spaces for martial art practice. During ango (the two periods of formal monastic training conducted each year), monastery residents practice martial arts three times a week. Depending on their interests and capacities they have the opportunity to study Aikido as well as a proprietary monastery curriculum, Korinji Budo, focused upon applications and tools relevant to Buddhist priests in a modern context.​ Other members worldwide are encouraged to pursue their own physical culture disciplines, which need not be martial in nature. 

 

Periodic intensive martial art training events and retreats are hosted at Korinji or elsewhere. Please see the Calendar for more information.