When Buddhists Attack: The Curious Relationship Between Zen and the Martial Arts

by Jeffrey K. Mann, Patrick McCarthy (Foreword by)

Overview

Uncover the historical truth about Buddhist warrior monks with this informative and enlightening book.

Exploring the origins of Buddhism and the ethos of the Japanese samurai, university professor and martial arts practitioner Jeffrey Mann traces the close connection between the Buddhist way of compassion and the way of the warrior. This zen book serves as a basic introduction to the history, philosophy, and current practice of Zen as it relates to the Japanese martial arts. It examines the elements of Zen that have found a place in budo—the martial way—such as zazen, mushin, zanshin and fudoshin, then goes on to discuss the ethics and practice of budo as a modern sport.

Offering insights into how qualities integral to the true martial artist are interwoven with this ancient religious philosophy, this Buddhism book will help practitioners reconnect to an authentic spiritual discipline of the martial arts.

Film, television and popular fiction have long exploited the image of the serene Buddhist monk who is master of the deadly craft of hand-to-hand combat. While these media overly romanticize the relationship between a philosophy of non-violence and the art of fighting, When Buddhists Attack: The Curious Relationship Between Zen and the Martial Arts shows this link to be nevertheless real, even natural.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9784805318157
Publisher:	Tuttle Publishing
Publication date:	06/04/2024
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Jeffrey K. Mann earned his doctorate in Religious Studies from Vanderbilt University and is currently Chair of the Religious Studies Department at Susquehanna University. In addition, he has served as a Visiting Professor of Religion at Senshu University in Ikuta, Japan. A longtime student of Japanese martial arts, he has trained and competed in karate throughout North America, Japan, Okinawa and the Philippines. He is instructor of the Susquehanna Goju-ryu Karate-do Club, a school affiliated with the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation

Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction
The Life and Teachings of the Buddha
Zen in Buddhist Context
The Warriors' Zen—Part One: Initial Attraction
The Warriors' Zen—Part Two: An Established
Relationship
Meditation
Mushin and Mindfulness
Zen, Budo, and Ethics
The Contemporary World of Budo
Epilogue: Is it really Zen?

Editorial Reviews

"If you've ever wanted to understand the true role Zen Buddhism plays in the martial arts, then look no further." —Patrick McCarthy, from the foreword

"Mann's book…illustrates the intertwining of martial arts and Zen. Mann deftly braids the physical and the spiritual into a strong rope for the serious student to ascend. This book has simplicity and yet heft—it is brilliant." —Kris Wilder, author of The Way of Kata and The Little Black Book of Violence

"This book clearly shows us how the Japanese Budo spirit is related to religion. Specifically, the author explains the concept of mushin very well, a principle to which we Japanese attribute much importance in overcoming various difficulties."—Katsumi Shimane, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology Senshu University3rd Dan Karatedo, Jodo

"I would like to congratulate the author on this book, which is based on both experience and research. I recommend it to all traditional martial artists and anyone interested in Japanese culture." —Tetsuji Nakamura, 6th Dan, International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation Vice Chief Instructor

"…an interesting and very informative overview of Zen Buddhism and its relation to martial arts. Dr. Mann's perspective as an academic and passionate practitioner of martial arts gives the work a personal tone and energy…It will appeal to avid practitioners of martial arts as well as to anyone interested in the development of Buddhism and its relation to Japanese culture." —Charlene P. E. Burns, Ph.D. Professor, Dept. of Philosophy & Religious Studies University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

"This rich and accessible introduction explores one of the more complex aspects of Buddhist culture." —Publishers Weekly

"The great Zen master Hakuin contended that a samurai could accomplish in a few days of Zen practice what would take a monk a hundred days. His reasoning was that monks generally assume they have years to devote to Zen, while warriors are well aware of impending death, so warriors will throw themselves into practice with a far greater sense of urgency than monks. That being said, the relationship between martial arts and Zen has been greatly exaggerated, especially in the West. In When Buddhists Attack, Jeffrey K. Mann unpacks the facts and fiction." —Shambhala Sun

"What does a religion known for teaching non-violence have to do with martial arts disciplines designed to cripple or kill? A great deal, it turns out. … By offering insights into how the qualities of a true martial artist are linked with ancient religious philosophy, Mann hopes to help other practitioners reconnect to an authentic spiritual discipline of the martial arts." —Newswise.com

From the Publisher

While Buddhism is famous for espousing pacifism, martial artists who draw on Zen as they practice Eastern forms of combat raise the puzzling question of how a philosophy based on ahimsa (nonharming) can influence centuries of warrior culture, particularly among the samurai of Japan. Mann, associate professor of religious studies and a longtime student of the martial arts, examines the historically tangled relationship between the practice of Zen Buddhism and the mental states cultivated by accomplished fighters in the Asian tradition. After briefly introducing Buddhism and Zen, Mann delves into the history of Zen and the martial arts in Japan; teases out the meanings of frequently used terms such as budo, bujutsu, mushin, and zanshin; argues for the benefits of practicing zazen (meditation); and examines the impact on martial arts of modern competition. He discusses the pragmatism that can lead to violence and the role of a “virtue ethics” in Buddhism. Mann quotes from original Japanese sources and uses ancient and contemporary examples to illustrate his points. In the end, he comes to his own conclusion as to whether the practice of martial arts can be truly called Zen. This rich and accessible introduction explores one of the more complex aspects of Buddhist culture. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly