Hakuin Ekaku: “Song of Meditation”

Impact

In his reform of the Rinzai Zen school and his systematized koan training, Hakuin emphasized once again the importance of zazen. His “Zazen Wasan” is a classic text and cornerstone in Zen history worthy of being read, recited, and chanted at any time. It is frequently chanted today in monasteries throughout Japan for its guidance toward the actualization of enlightenment—toward opening the way of the Buddha to all. This ode holds an indispensable place in the history of Japanese religions and culture, influencing the way Zen is approached by Buddhist believers and others bent on seeking truth and light in life. Through this chant, Hakuin helped to spread the wisdom of the Buddha to all people, especially the poor, uneducated and downtrodden of the Japanese Edo period, who had no other means of accessing the right paths in life.