Table of ContentsIntroductionNo Mind (Mushin)Thinking/Not Thinking/Without ThinkingConclusionIntroduction In every hobby, every sport, and every action, there is potential for 'illumination. Through repeated practice of an art, hobby, etc., one can realize the principles underlying Zen Buddhism. All that stands in the way of the practitioner's Buddhist enlightenment is their own perception of the practice and the world around them. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Until he understands that everything is connected; that is, until he understands that nothing exists without being defined by something else, enlightenment will forever be out of reach. By realizing that all things lack their own essence (because nothing can exist without being defined by something else), he will understand that: the pitcher does not seek to knock down the pins, the striker does not seek to hit the pins. ball, and the archer does not try to pierce the target. All seek to find “true insight into the ultimate state of being” (Onuma 26) by realizing and understanding how they themselves relate to the goal of their chosen sport. No-mind (mushin) The concept of no-mind lies at the center of Zen Buddhism. One who possesses this quality is totally aware of everything. And yet, nothing can disturb him, despite his total awareness (Salgado, April 11). He sees things as “neither independent substances, nor dreams or illusions…. without denying the forms encountered in daily life, [he], however, does not cling to them and does not consider them as the only reality” (Kasulis 44). This person looks at situations with a non-dualistic perspective (an understanding of objects is interdependent). with other things). He understands that bowling only exists because the bowler defines it; targets only exist because archers define them, and so on. The opposite is also true; a bowler only exists because he has pins to knock down, and the archer only exists because he has a target to shoot at. Because these objects, devoid of their own essence, require someone/something to define their existence, we can say that the objects are interchangeable. The archer is the target, and vice versa. Therefore, in a way, when shooting at the target, the archer is shooting at himself. This state of total awareness brought about by enlightenment resulting from the continued practice of a specific art form is something that only a select few are privy to. The vast majority of people perceive things as dualistic. In other words, people see the archer as only the archer, and the target as only the target. They are unable to see the interdependence of objects. In this area, our own thoughts lead to our downfall. Thinking/Not Thinking/Without ThinkingIf one pursues Zen enlightenment, one must be prepared for their own thoughts to betray them. Because we think in language, and language is inherently dualistic, our thoughts are also dualistic (Salgado, April 18). As humans, we think every day about where we should go and what we should do. In our thoughts, we give names to things, places, and situations without considering the interconnectedness that plays a role in their existence. On top of that, if one is obsessed with the right way to do something, that means that conversely there is a wrong way to do it. Looking at things in terms of right and wrong, right and wrong, etc., is dualistic and will only serve to slow down, stop or even reverse the..