This is the translation of what I wrote for people in Japan in Japnese in another article...

 

 

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2011.9.5

 

In the beginning of September while getting ready for my journey to travel around Japan, I was able to meet a few of my closest friends in Tokyo. When they heard I will be traveling such a long distance some handed me money, only by the heart to make things easier for my goal. I cannot be grateful enough for their understanding. At the same time it was not money I could just say "thank you!" and receive on the spot.

 

I asked if they could keep the money until the right time has come. There was a strong need for me to be able to explain the true reason of my journey.

 

Being faraway sometimes make you see things more clearly. Shortly after the earthquake I moved to Berlin. The past few month I have spent my time preparing to open a Zen Dojo there. During this time my concerns and belief towards Japan has grown massively. I am convinced there is no such place on earth which has a culture like Japan, and the same country is facing so many problems we need to do something about NOW.

Probably many people have already started to feel this, isn't modern society going in the "opposite" direction we want it to go?

 

No one wants to be swamped with work, no one wants to create disparity of wealth, no one wants to destroy the environment or fight in war, and we never, ever wished to be polluted by radiation. Then why? Why can all of this happen when none of us are wishing it?

 

This cannot be right. But let alone trying to make a difference, there is a strange atmosphere that even prevents you from pointing out the truth. No specific person to blame, no one really knowing how solve the problems piled up before us. I fear this situation is slowly but deeply ruining our lives, leading the country to it's end not so far in the future.

 

On the other hand it is amazing to see how much Japan is loved by foreigners, even after such a crisis and the bad political interaction after it. This country is filled with wisdom we could share with the whole world. Wherever I go being Japanese makes me feel proud. Every time I discover people's interest and respect towards Japan I cannot ignore the possibility it contains. As we know it is not the economy or politics. It is the people. Each one of us is the most precious treasure this country can ever have. Sadly, very few are aware of this fact, and like any jewelry it losses its beauty when not being payed attention. It doesn't help when you know things only as an information. The richest part of our culture is the custom of "understanding" though the body instead of the brain. This ability which any Japanese used to have, is in great danger of extermination as modern lifestyles has taken over.

 

To defeat the stream of misery, to survive this crisis, the simplest and most powerful solution is hidden in "Zen".

 

As a monk my words to describe it will be "Zen", although after living among non monks I realized it was not a unique thing to Buddhism at all. The heart of Zen could be found everywhere. Not to mention martial arts or various traditions, but modern sports like soccer or baseball. This goes on to music, yoga and dancing, manners for preparing and eating food, building houses or even the clothes we wear. If people knew what they can do as a Japanese it will definitely change daily actions in a better way. When our treasures starts shining again a new stream of happiness will be created, surely strong enough to make a difference in the world.

 

The Dojo I am starting in Berlin will be a place where anyone can experience Zen in a truly traditional style. Having so many variety of nationalities and lifestyles makes this city colorful and allows art to develop freely, which I find being a great condition to introduce Zen as well. Quite a few communities based on Zen already exist, created by Japan fans and artists, young people who are seeking the essential part of life. It will be an interesting opportunity for both cultures if they could learn from each other.     

 

One disadvantage being outside of Japan is, "Zen" could be considered a fashion rather than a way to seek the truth of life. Great Zen masters are often known to be modest and do not stand out, meaning they are not so easy to find. The best way to meet a good teacher would be to come to Japan which is usually too far or expensive for most people.

 

Here is where my Dojo in Berlin takes an important role. In the future I plan to expand the Dojo to NY, also to Poland, but there is a certain limit to what can be done just by that. The most important point is the people who come to the Dojo really feels connected to people in Japan.

 

The more I write the more it seems impossible to explain in words.

To actually meet and to let people in Japan know what I am trying to do. To listen what they went through after 3.11, getting advise from them and to share the love for Japan with the world. This is the one and only contribution I can do. The destination of my journey.

My dear friends who always understood what I seek as my mission, offered to help without any explanation. Before I receive their generosity, I needed to first make desperate effort to tell the ones who don't even know me. Because this journey is a never ending story...

 

"Takuhatsu" is translated as "begging" in the dictionary but actually has a completely different meaning. Takuhatsu is meant to be an chance for people to release their desires. Unlike begging or donation we do not say "thank you" to the person who put money into our bowls (to be honest those two words come right up to my throat...it is a challenge not to let them out). Also what you give the monk can be anything which comes from love. It does not have to be money but can be clothes, food, knowledge or a smile. Of course I am happy to receive money when my purse is empty, but that money will be gone as soon as I spend it. What I treasure the most is the people I meet along my path, the conversations I have with them. This is a gift that never disappears and keeps growing in your heart, giving you the power to take another step each day.

 

I truly wish my journey encounters many people to Zen and will lead them to a discovery, what a wonderful country they are living in. May nature and animals and all human beings be together in happiness.

 

祈諸縁吉祥福壽無量

 

Seigaku 9 hai