Zen and the Martial Arts

The Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun, developed by the founders of the Nan Hua Zen Buddhist Society, was the first exclusively electronic ministry on the Internet. The priests of ZBOHY follow the ancient teachings of Hui Neng and Lin Chi and the modern teachings of Hsu Yun. The Sangha has no dues or fees of any kind. Precepts are given free of charge to correspondents who have demonstrated a sincere desire to follow the Buddha's EightFold Path.

Latest Essays

Strange Arrivals in a Stranger Town by Abbot John
Life Imitating Art by Yin Cai Shakya
FLUKES OF CLAY: Deconstructing the Heroic Dolphin Image by Ming Zhen Shakya

Past Essays
Bee Season by Ming Zhen Shakya
Road Rage Redux by Ming Zhen Shakya
Does a Dog Have Buddha Nature? by Upasaka Yin Caì
The Problem of Infinity by Abbot John
Why I Practice by Yin Cheng Shakya
Detachment and The Metastatic Need by Ming Zhen Shakya
Golf and the Transcendence of Pure Love by Abbot John
Japan, Zen, and WWII by Ming Zhen Shakya
Zen, Golf and the 82nd Airborne by Abbot John
Athiests and Believers by Ming Zhen Shakya
Late Night Thoughts On The Avatamsaka by Abbot John

Visit the Archives for a complete listing of essays, poems, commentaries and more.

Click here to visit our original website which contains many fine features and previously published essays http://zbohy.zatma.org.

To contact a member of our clergy please visit the Clergy page.

Poetry
The Collected Poems of Zen Master Hsu Yun

ZATMA Dojo

There exists a myriad of different Martial Arts which are continually being studied, practiced, developed and refined all over the world. This is intended to be a resource pertinent to the study of Martial Arts, the living practice of Zen Buddhism, and how the two relate to one another.

Art Gallery
See a selection of art from members of the Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun, as well as pieces from other wonderful artists.

Literature
Empty Cloud: The Teachings of Master Hsu Yun
The Seventh World of Chan Buddhism (Basic and intermediate Chan teaching)
Ruminations on Zen's Cows (On the Oxherding pictures of Zen and their relationship to the Corrida)
Assault On The Summit

Memorable Moments

Another tribute to our late Dharma Master Yin Zhao: Premier Credit dedicates a new learning center in his memory.

Few things are as fun as a great Halloween party. For those of us who couldn't make it "across the pond" to attend Fa Jun Shakya's celebration, or who were otherwise engaged, here he is with some good friends sending their regards. Can you spot him?

Fa Jun Shakya takes a time-out with some students in his Krav Maga/full Contact Bologna.martial arts' academy in Italy. From left, Giovanni, Stefano, Farshad, Daniele, and Fa Jun.

Dharma in his guise as a faithful Romanian Sheepdog puppy guards the desk of our Fa Ming Shakya in Bucharest.

Videos and Photos
Karate action photos from the July 2004, New Orleans competition.
Tai Chi performance by Da Shi Chuan Sheng.
The prayer Suryanamaskar may be performed as a warm-up exercise.

Bluhum

Links
The Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun does not promote or endorse and is not responsible for any of the products or services offered.

Tendai Lotus (in cooperation with Mount Hiei, Japan)
Anyone interested in obtaining Yoga and dress clothing from India email Ms. Ruchi Chandra

Notice to our Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun sangha members and readers

There has been some confusion about which website is the site of the original Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun, a non-profit corporation, that has served the Internet community since November, 1997. We are that group and anyone who wishes to check with the Secretary of State's office in Carson City, Nevada, can confirm this.
The organization now located at the address www.hsuyun.org is a non-profit corporation chartered in the state of Utah on August 3, 2004, #5702081-0140. This Utah organization is not related to or affiliated with the original Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun, and Ming Zhen Shakya has likewise never been involved or affiliated with the Utah organization.
Anyone who received Buddhist Precepts from the Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun prior to that date has received them from our Order and is invited to consult with a priest through our ZATMA.org address.
On behalf of our corporate officers and board chairman Yin Zhao, Chuan Yuan, Chuan Chao, and myself, I invite you all to continue to visit our pages and to contribute your comments. If you have any additional questions, comments or concerns, please contact us at info@zatma.org.

In the Dharma,
Ming Zhen Shakya

Essays, Poetry and Talks

Photo credit: kerismith.com

Abbot John reflects on the new addition to his family and the reality of impermanence in "Strange Arrivals in a Stranger Town".

Photo credit: PitbullLovers.com

In "Life Imitating Art" Yin Cai Shakya examines the underground world of dog fighting.

Photo credit: Movie poster

Creating idols can lead to nothing but trouble as Ming Zhen Shakya points out in "FLUKES OF CLAY: Deconstructing the Heroic Dolphin Image."

Kobe Bryant in his "freethrow concentration zone"
photo credit: www.kobebryantlive.com

The ability to concentrate makes all the difference in Zen, basketball, or any activity in which ego-consciousness must be eliminated. Da Shi Yin Zhao gave the details in his "A Chakra Program" section of Assault on the Summit.

Photo credit: book jacket

The destructiveness of religious pedants is masterfully explored by author Myla Goldberg in Bee Season. Ming Zhen Shakya reviews this insightful novel and comments on the methods of transcendence.

Photo credit: http://www2.umassd.edu/temath/
TEMATH2/Examples/ModelNautilus
ShellSpiral.html

In a personal autobiographical account and in an instructional letter sent to a student, Master Yin Zhao adds "Introduction to Sexual Mysticism" to the meditation lore for men in Assault on the Summit. (Updated: 08/29/2008)

Shi Yin Zhao, O.H.Y. 1957 - 2008

A tribute to our Dharma Brother, Da Shi Yin Zhao, In Memoriam.

Photo credit: http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres

In a women's section of Assault on the Summit, Ming Zhen describes the qualifications for joining the select group in "Comments to the Female Path Climber."

150 year old crystal chandelier at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia.
Photo credit: playbillarts.com

Gridlock gives a person time to think. In "Road Rage Redux", Ming Zhen offers some common sense Zen observations to surviving the gas crisis.

United States propaganda poster used during World War I depicting a Pit Bull. Photo credit: Wikipedia

In "Does a Dog Have Buddha Nature?" Upsaka Yin Cai answers one of Zen's favorite koans.

In his latest essay, Abbot John lends us some advice on how to deal with "The Problem of Infinity."

Photo credit: Dyed Silk Cocoons by Debbie Colgrove, About.com

In "Why I Practice", German philosopher Shi Yin Cheng discusses the conversion from exterior Buddhism to living out the life of the Buddha Within, core values that he teaches in his Program of Zen for Businessmen.

In "Detachment and The Metastatic Need" Ming Zhen gives Zen's advice on avoiding and ending troublesome situations.

1946 Hardcover edition which promoted the first film adaptation of Maugham's novel.
Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
The_Razor's_Edge

In the next section of Assault on the Summit, Pratyahara, Ming Zhen discusses the importance of the sensory principles.

"The sharp edge of a razor is difficult to pass over; thus the wise say the path to Salvation is hard." —Katha-Upanishad.

The Devil's Golf Course, Badwater,
Death Valley, California
Photo credit: http://www.jgk.org/pictures/
devils-golf-course.html

Enjoying the noble status he recently assumed (an event he chronicles in Golf and the Transcendence of Pure Love) Sir Abbot John prepares to Tee off at one of the public golf courses in Inyo County, California.

"Corsair and Zeros", 1943: Jack Connelly, Artist. http://www.allposters.com

Buddhism and Warfare: In "Japan, Zen, and WWII" Ming Zhen examines the recent criticism of Japanese Zen Masters during WWII.

In Night On The Great River Poet Fa Xin Shakya weaves his art on an original poem by Zen poet Meng Hao Ren.

VM Fo Yuan shares a pleasantry with Ming Zhao

Venerable Master Ming Zhao (xin Jue) In My Eyes Barry Tse (Shi Yao Hui) writes affectionately about his master VM Ming Zhao.

Dawn on the lake near Jiang Jun Si, Chi-Bi (Red Cliff) City, Hubei Province. Yao Hui Shakya gives details of the restoration of the old Tang Dynasty Buddhist Temple.

Map of China showing Hubei Province, famed location of Wu Dang Martial Arts development. The Yangtze River forms its southern boundary line. Jiang Jun Si is located near Chi-Bi (Red Cliff) City, down in the dip in the lower right of the province. This is also the location site of the movie, Battle of Red Cliff which is currently being filmed by Director John Woo.

Last Update: 10/02/2008