Kodo Sawaki the monk who revitalized Japanese Buddhism
By the 20th century, Zen Buddhism in Japan had regrettably lapsed into a state of stagnation, characterized by repetitive, lifeless rituals devoid of the essence of true spiritual practice.
Monks were predominantly preoccupied with fundraising through funeral chants rather than imparting Buddhist teachings or engaging in meditation.
This state of affairs persisted for centuries, save for a few notable exceptions. One such exception was Kōdō Sawaki, a 20th-century Buddhist luminary who revitalized Japanese Buddhism by reintroducing meditation and authentic teachings.
Kōdō Sawaki vehemently criticized the hollow form of Buddhism prevalent at the time, asserting that a religion divorced from life’s fundamental essence was meaningless.
He reminded the Japanese people of Buddhism’s potential to guide them back to a genuine way of living.
Kōdō Sawaki’s journey was marked by adversity, having endured a tumultuous upbringing under the care of unconventional guardians.
Despite these challenges, his encounter with Zen at a young age set him on a path of spiritual awakening and eventual enlightenment, inspiring countless followers to rediscover the transformative power of Buddhist practice in their lives.
