From Kanjuro Shibata XX, Sensei - Special Issue – February 2006



From Kanjuro Shibata XX, Sensei in response to Albert Simon‘s email
(Ref.: Online News – January 2006 – text reproduced after Sensei’s
Response):


“I heard yesterday’s email.
Why do you think these are slogans for the Third War?
Our kyudo slogans are not budo slogans; they are not fighting style
slogans.
They are the same as ritsu Zen, standing Zen meditation.
They are expressions of our deep hearts: Peace.

This is only your idea that they are slogans for some kind of fascism.
Once more, again:

Hitotsu. Rei gi o tadashiku, kudasai
Hitotsu. Shin gi o omonzu, kudasai
Hitotsu. Chusetsu o toutobubeshi.

(Translation note: Sensei replaces “beshi”, which literally means
“must”,
with “kudasai” which means “please” for the first two slogans. So, he is

politely asking. The third one he leaves as beshi, with extra emphasis.)

The last slogan is Trungpa Rinpoche’s most valuable message! For me,
this is
my loyalty to our connection and I hold this to my heart with no apology
or
hesitation.

Once again, this is NOT fascism. Also, these are not religious slogans.

Perhaps you are thinking that neutrality is some sort of spiritual goal.

This is not the case. Looking deeply at our hearts is the aim of
spiritual
practice. Kyudo practice is not neutral. Kyudo practice is about
balance.
Balance is not the same as neutrality. Neutrality only seeks the middle.
In
kyudo practice we are equally aware of the left, the right, the middle,
all of it.

How long have you been practicing?
One more again, practice. This is my hope.”

Kanjuro Shibata XX


___________


From Albert Simon – Suiko Kyuodojo – Montreal (Quebec) - Canada



"The yumi is the teacher," said Sensei, years ago, "it teaches us to
treat ourselves with discipline and others with kindness". When I
started practicing Kyudo, those simple words told me that I was in the
right place, doing the right thing. And on my first day, I also learned
from one of the instructors, the importance of maintaining my natural
dignity. Since that time I have passed to others what I've learned,
whenever I could, as part of Kyudo training.

I knew about those notions before Kyudo but it felt good to find them
included as part of the practice. We don't need to recite vows to be
reminded of them. Doing is the practice, not reciting vows or slogans.
For example, some people talk endlessly about compassion but truly
compassionate people don't need to be reminded. They know and they do.
And what they do is what they are.

It is common for children to recite texts in groups but whenever adults
purposefully recite anything together, it is either a religious
behaviour or an expression of allegiance to an organization or a leader.

Kyudo is, however, a haven of meditation and neutrality, a place - as
well as a time - where people from different backgrounds get together
and leave their personal beliefs at the door of the dojo. They can walk
in with an uncluttered mind and practice Kyudo and meditation. They can
listen to others without judging, they can sincerely offer their help to
others when needed, and they can also practice their form with an
unwavering determination. What I have just listed here are examples of
Chi, Jin, Yu, the subject of many talks by Sensei until 2004. No group
recitation was necessary for us to get the message.

Nor did we need slogans for realizing the importance of balance and for
practicing Kyudo with a clear heart, two elements at the core of
Sensei's teachings for many years. All we needed - and still do - was
quiet determination.

Let us encourage each one of us to work with others and to work on
ourselves through Kyudo and meditation, balancing our body, mind and
emotions. And to achieve that, let us continue to practice Kyudo, and
keep it, as it has been, neutral.


Albert Simon, December 17, 2005


___________



Jean-Pierre
On behalf of Zenko International (All Tiger Groups)


Council Members:

Baltin, Max - Oko Representative
baltin@nrw-go.de

Boorstein, James - Chairman
jboorstein@earthlink.net

Mains, Ellen
dranyen@yahoo.com

Poggi, Jean-Pierre – Communication facilitator
jean-pierre.poggi@sympatico.ca

Symanski, Don - Head Instructor
donsymanski@indra.com

Timischl, Eberhard – Oko Representative
e.timischl@privatklinik-wyss.ch

Wenninger, Michael - Financial Comptroller
mwenninger@earthlink.net