Draft:Zen Master Zhong

Zhōng Fǎshī

Overview

Zhōng Fǎshī (钟法师) (1920-2018) was a highly private and solitary Zen master and teacher, known for his deep commitment to the principles of Zen and his subtle integration of Christian and other spiritual philosophies within his teachings. Though he seldom engaged in public appearances and maintained a life of quiet solitude, he became a discreet yet respected figure among a small group of significant spiritual teachers and practitioners who sought his guidance. Throughout his life, Zhōng Fǎshī preserved the essence of Zen with an emphasis on deep, direct experience, humility, and transcendence over the rigid boundaries of tradition.

Early Life and Background

Born in 1920 in China, Zhōng Fǎshī grew up in a context of cultural and philosophical diversity, which would later influence his approach to Zen and his openness to cross-cultural understanding. He became fluent in multiple languages, including Chinese, Japanese, English, French, Russian, and Vietnamese, which facilitated his communications with individuals from diverse backgrounds. His linguistic and cultural skills allowed him to draw wisdom from various philosophical and spiritual traditions while remaining true to the essence of Zen.

World War II and Karafuto (Sakhalin) Experience

Zhōng Fǎshī’s early life was profoundly shaped by his experiences during World War II. At one point, he found himself in a labor camp on Sakhalin Island (Karafuto), surrounded by hardship and brutality. During this period, Zhōng Fǎshī encountered a group of Russian Orthodox monks whose grace and equanimity amid severe conditions left a lasting impression on him. These monks embodied a living spirituality that transcended suffering, which influenced Zhōng’s understanding of detachment and compassion as paths toward awakening. This experience is often cited as a pivotal moment that broadened his view on spirituality, ultimately shaping his path as a Zen master.

Years in Japan and the Path of Teaching

Following the war, Zhōng Fǎshī relocated to Japan, where he spent over two decades immersed in Zen practice and teaching. In Japan, he was able to formally study Zen under Japanese masters and honed his understanding of Zen’s connection to nature and the self. Over the years, he developed a profound contemplative practice, emphasized simplicity, and undertook a significant amount of time in silence and meditation. Although he was reserved and maintained a low profile, his influence grew among a select group of disciples, including Western soldiers who approached him in search of insight into Zen.

While in Japan, Zhōng Fǎshī was closely associated with the Rinzai and Sōtō Zen schools, though he refrained from identifying strictly with one. His interactions with diverse teachers across the Zen spectrum allowed him to understand Zen from multiple perspectives, integrating elements of sudden (sudden enlightenment) and gradual practice into his teachings.

Teachings and Approach

Core Teachings and Emphasis on Individuality (Kosei)

Zhōng Fǎshī’s teachings are known for their emphasis on “kosei” (個性) or individuality, encouraging his disciples to cultivate an authentic and unique understanding of Zen. He likened each practitioner to a “leaf on the tree of existence,” individually shaped by countless influences yet inherently connected to all. Zhōng Fǎshī valued both the individual journey and the collective experience of interconnectedness, often teaching that one’s unique path should not conflict with or overshadow one’s oneness with others. He inspired students to “look beyond surfaces” to perceive the unrepeatable essence within themselves as well as the unity underlying all forms.

Integration of Solitude and Inner Reflection

An advocate for solitude and inner reflection, Zhōng Fǎshī found wisdom in silence and preferred a life largely away from public attention. He saw the experience of silence as integral to Zen practice, believing it allowed practitioners to “see the moon reflect itself effortlessly in the river.” His teaching encouraged embracing one's solitude as an essential element of spiritual growth, allowing for deeper self-awareness and a clearer understanding of the Dharma’s timeless truths.

Shunyata (Emptiness) and the Path to Selflessness

Zhōng Fǎshī often emphasized shunyata, or emptiness, not as a void but as a source of fullness. He guided students to understand emptiness as a process of liberation rather than detachment from the world, teaching that a clear and open mind reflects the truth of existence without distortion. Inspired by both Zen and Christian contemplative traditions, Zhōng Fǎshī saw the concept of self-emptying (similar to the Christian kenosis) as a path toward dissolving the ego and allowing enlightenment to “reflect itself naturally,” like the moon on still water. His reflections on emptiness were deeply influenced by both Eastern and Western spiritual insights, emphasizing a state of awareness where the self merges with the whole of existence.

Zen’s Relationship with Other Traditions and Interspiritual Dialogue

Though Zhōng Fǎshī was rooted in Zen, he expressed great respect for other traditions, especially for the contemplative aspects of Christianity. His letters reflect a vision of Zen that integrates spiritual insights across religions, proposing that all true paths ultimately lead to the same source of enlightenment. In letters to Sayadaw U Tejaniya and others, he highlighted shared principles between Zen and other spiritual traditions, recognizing the transcendent unity underlying different practices.

One of his most notable relationships was with the Christian monk Thomas Merton, whose views on silence, self-denial, and divine grace resonated deeply with Zhōng Fǎshī’s approach to emptiness and inner stillness. Zhōng Fǎshī valued what he saw as the complementarity of Zen’s path of letting go and the Christian path of grace, ultimately regarding both as expressions of the Dharma.

Solitude and Limited Public Presence

Throughout his life, Zhōng Fǎshī remained an elusive figure, known for his deep-seated love of solitude and a deliberate avoidance of the public spotlight. He lived primarily in remote hermitages across Japan, China, and later in the mountains of India, where he welcomed only a few visitors and maintained limited but impactful relationships with select individuals. He believed that genuine spiritual insight should arise from personal inner experience rather than from public displays or acclaim, considering his solitary lifestyle essential to his practice.

Legacy and Influence

Zhōng Fǎshī passed away in 2018 at the age of 98, having lived a life devoted to the contemplative and reflective essence of Zen. He left behind a modest collection of letters and teachings, known as The Zen Letters of Master Zhōng Fǎshī, which reveal his unique blend of Eastern and Western spirituality and his profound reflections on solitude, identity, and the essence of the self. His teachings continue to be studied by those who value his integration of diverse spiritual perspectives and his deeply introspective approach to Zen.

Selected Quotations

"To study the self is to forget the self; to forget the self is to be enlightened by all things." — On individuality and interconnectedness. "The moon does not struggle to reflect itself in the river." — On the natural and effortless nature of enlightenment. "Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself." — Teaching on the value of stillness and presence. Further Reading

The Zen Letters of Master Zhōng Fǎshī – a collection of his reflections and guidance shared with select disciples and spiritual peers. External Links https://www.ameba.jp/profile/general/zhongfashi/

While Zhōng Fǎshī avoided digital publication or media, his teachings have circulated through his letters and notes among dedicated practitioners and scholars of Zen, leaving a lasting impression on both Zen and interfaith contemplative communities.