Martial Arts – Meditation – Self Control – Learn to fight, that you don’t have to fight!

In the Zen monasteries, the martial arts were a very important part to protect the monasteries. The monasteries had their own police and army to defend themselves against attacks from the secular powers. In every martial arts school you learn to fight, that you don't have to fight and thus take responsibility. Only when you know what you are capable of can you take on responsibility.

My mother sent me when I was entering puberty (14 years old) to a martial arts school in Zurich to an exceptional karate master. To test and challenge your own body and mind and to control the dark side that lies within each of us. For many years, up to three hours a day, six days a week, it has been a privilege to learn and be guided by this Master. A school of life, which is a foundation for my whole life. (Abbot Reding)

Contemplation - Martial Arts

Even though the young monk trusted the Good-and-Wise One, Hye-Am used to listen to the dharma talk inattentively and didn't uphold sincere faith. Instead, he said to himself, "Whenever the times comes, I will attain the supernatural freedom by the power of meditation; I will be free to choose whether or not to be in this physical body. I would like to gain such a magical technique. Why should I need Dharma speeches  to awaken my Self-Nature?" Because of his stubbornness, he hadn't listened.

One day the temple master called him, "In my opinion it seems you have some particularly different visions, now, tell me, what do you have in mind?" Hye-Am told him what he thought. Zen Master Song-Wol, calmly smiled and said, "Do you really believe so?" "Yes, I do."

At that moment Master Song-Wol's voice was transformed into a thunderbolt and he boomed, "Zen food cannot be spoiled by any means!" He then immediately called the bell ringer, "Send him off with his sack!" and he commanded Hye-Am, "You get out of here!"

But Zen Master Hye-Am could not stay away and returned three times. Upon each departure, he thought to himself, "The Good-and-Wise One should not go that far; it is a little too much. But if he insists, that's all right with me; this is not the only place to meditate." But a moment came when everything abruptly became confused; "should I  or should I not return?"

He struggled between the two thoughts whether standing or sitting, suffered for a long while as he departed from the temple. At last, he arrived at the Moo-Poong bridge but his indecision was over. He decided to return to the temple. He repented to the Master, "Master, please forgive my shallow opinions; with your warmth, guide me to the right direction."

The master told him with his gentle voice, "Welcome. One who wishes to Study should be patient and, after all, sincerely uphold the mind. The student should know how to quickly correct his flaws." (Story told by seon master Myo-Vong)

Meditation center

Here you get more information about the monthly meditation retreat.