Sanchin & Zen

The Japanese martial arts have always been deeply related to Buddhism and, in particular, Zen Buddhism. In essence, the ultimate goal of the serious martial artist, “reaching a stage of enlightenment,” is rooted in Buddhism. Although others exist, two of the roads to this Buddhist “enlightenment” are the practice of “sitting zen” and “standing zen.” While “sitting zen” is based on stillness, “standing zen” is based on action. Both, however, are one internal reality viewed and practiced from different perspectives.

In this discussion, the primary concern is the use of “standing zen” in training. Both zen monks in China’s Shorin Temple and swordsmen in early Japan use “standing zen” to help discipline, control and strengthen their physical and mental energies. Eventually, this “standing zen” system of focusing energy on attaining a “stage of enlightenment” (and physical superiority) was developed into a method of martial arts training known as Sanchin.

--- Seikichi Toguchi