Takuan Soho

Takuan Soho applied Zen to kendo, the art of the sword. In his letter to Yagyu Munenori on the “Mystery of Prajna Immoveable,” he begins by drawing attention to the tendency of the mind to “stop” or “abide” with things rather than flow naturally from one object to another. This is characteristic of avidya, or the ignorance which is the opposite of enlightenment. In kendo, if the swordsman’s attention is stopped in this manner, he will be unable to respond to the moves of his opponent.

“No doubt you see the sword about to strike you, but do not let your mind ‘stop’ there. Have no intention to counterattack him in response to his threatening move, cherish no calculating thoughts whatsoever. You simply perceive the opponent’s move, you do not allow your mind to ‘stop’ with it, you move on just as you are toward the opponent and make use of his attack by turning it on to himself.”

Zen Masters of Japan: 160-167

The Story of Zen: 187-88

Soeki Rikyu

Although he was not a monk, the tea master Soeki Rikyu is the subject of many stories which are now part of the Zen tradition.  One of the most famous tells of a visit that his patron, General Toyotomi Hideyoshi, intended to make to the master’s tea-house. Hideyoshi had been told that the morning glories blooming beside it were particularly impressive that year. When he arrived at the tea-house, however, he discovered that Rikyu had cut down all the vines. On entering the small tea-room, Hideyoshi found a single flower placed in a vase. Rikyu, following the example of Murata Shuko, had sacrificed all the morning glories outside for the sake of a single blossom.

Zen Masters of Japan: 151-154