Aesthetica - ZEN 02
ZEN Aesthetics of Seasons - Flowers, Birds, Wind, and the Moon 花鳥風月
Japan has four seasons equally, and each season is mild and temperate. Having lived in Ukraine for over a decade, I’m strongly convinced of it, and remember the beautiful nature of Japan in four seasons with sentimental nostalgia…
A Japanese traditional idiom, Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月), refers to a refined aesthetic sensibility that appreciates the beautiful scenery of nature in four seasons.
The compound word Kachofugetsu consists of 4 words: Ka (花 = flowers) + Cho (鳥 = birds) + Fu (風 = wind) + Getsu (月 = the Moon). But it does NOT merely mean the limited 4 objects, but rather is a general term encompassing the four seasons of nature, including plants, animals, climate, and the Moon as a whole.
Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月) expresses a spirit of cherishing the beauty of Japan's four seasons, and is mainly used to describe a refined aesthetic or to refer to artistic activities featuring nature in four seasons.
More broadly, Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月) refers to aesthetic mindfulness to enjoy poetry, literature, and paintings based on the beauties of nature, and a refined aesthetic mindset towards appreciating nature in everyday life in each season.
ZEN philosophy and aesthetics of Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月) are deeply intertwined, forming the foundation of the view of nature and aesthetic sensibilities in Japanese culture and traditions.
While Japanese Shintoism sees Gods in nature, the beauty of nature represented by Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月) sublimates to a manifestation of truth through the spirit of ZEN.
Discovering Nature as Truth – Kensho 見性
In ZEN philosophy, the direct, experiential realization of our true nature as Bussho (仏性; Buddha-nature) through practices such as Zazen (坐禅; seated meditation) is called Kensho (見性).
Kensho (見性) is NOT intellectual knowledge, but a raw, direct experience of becoming aware of our true self in a state of Samadhi (Sanmai 三昧), which is a state of complete concentration without ego, becoming one with a single object.
In the state of Kensho (見性), we perceive that ourselves and nature, and ourselves and the Universe, are inextricably connected.
The ZEN philosophical concept of Kensho (見性) and the Japanese aesthetic of Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月) may seem like completely different concepts, but actually, they are closely intertwined.
From a ZEN perspective, Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月) are NOT merely beautiful scenery of nature, but mirrors that reflect the truth of the Universe and Kensho (見性), seeing our true nature as the state of enlightenment.
While Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月) signifies the beautiful scenery of nature in four seasons and the refined aesthetic sensibility of appreciating nature, the practices of ZEN Buddhism aim to achieve Kensho (見性), the state of enlightenment, by deeply contemplating the changing beauties of phenomena in the natural world.
ALL things of nature, Sansensoumoku (山川草木; mountains, rivers, plants, and trees), are constantly changing as Shogyou-mujou (諸行無常; impermanence of ALL things). ZEN philosophy considers their natural states as they are, to be the very true form of the Buddha.
Preaching of the Dharma by non-sentient beings – Mujou-Seppou 無情説法
In ZEN philosophy, Mujou-Seppou (無情説法) (the preaching of the Dharma by non-sentient beings) is a profound concept unique to ZEN Buddhism. The concept of Mujou-Seppou (無情説法) means that ALL natural objects, such as mountains, rivers, plants, trees, roof tiles, stones, etc., that lack emotions or will (Mujou 無情) speak to us about the truth (Dharma) without words.
Mujou (無情; mindless, non-sentient beings) means an entity that does NOT have a mind, emotions, and will, that is, natural things, such as grass, trees, stones, wind, or water.
And Seppou (説法; preaching) means the act of conveying the teachings and truth (Dharma) of Buddha.
Accordingly, Mujou-Seppou (無情説法; the preaching of Dharma by non-sentient beings) is the idea that NOT only humans (Ujou 有情; sentient beings), but also inorganic natural objects constantly expound on Dharma, the truth of Buddha, through their natural, unadulterated forms as they are.
We humans are bound by Jou (情; mind, emotions, and will), subjective thoughts of “I”, but Mujou (無情), natural objects, do NOT possess such attachments or dichotomies, such as like or dislike, good or evil, etc. Therefore, Mujou (無情), non-sentient beings, are considered to embody truth itself outside of any words in a purer way.
The sound of the wind blowing, the sound of the river flowing, the colors of the mountains,... ALL aspects of nature are the echoes of truth.
We human beings can ONLY truly hear Mujou-Seppou (無情説法; preaching of Dharma by non-sentient beings) when we are freed from the shackles of language and thought. So, the ZEN concept of Mushin (無心; No-mind) means to aim at being like a stone or a tree in mind, achieving enlightenment.
Unification into Nature – Ichinyo 一如
There is a ZEN phrase "Kachofugetsu no Yado" (花鳥風月宿). While the Japanese word ‘Yado’(宿) means a ‘lodging’ or an ‘accommodation’, in a ZEN sense, ‘Yado’ (宿) connotes this real temporal world within which we live, coexisting with nature.
The “Kachofugetsu no Yado” (花鳥風月宿) expresses a mindset of enjoying the beauty of nature with a refined aesthetic, realizing that we coexist with nature, feeling flowers blooming, birds singing, the wind breezing, and the moon shining.
By realizing the coexistence with nature, we can naturally feel gratitude for nature's constant presence and acceptance standing by our side.
Feeling leaves swaying in the wind, silver moonlight shining, flower petals smiling, we can immerse ourselves in "Here and Now." The distractions and noises of everyday life disappear, and you can return to your true self, feeling together with beautiful nature.
“Kachofugetsu no Yado” signifies that this real temporal world is a wonderful place filled with beautiful nature, Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月; flowers, birds, wind, and moon). It expresses the feeling that we are always sustained by the richness of nature.
Nature is always with us. Rather, we are nature itself, which we appreciate. In the sense of Ichinyo (一如), we, the observers (the Subject), and nature, the objects (the Object), are undivided. In this feeling, we let go of attachment to our own frivolous existence and living as a part of great nature.
The Coexistence of the Moment and the Unchanging — Mujou 無常
Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月) focuses on the transient, fleeting beauty of a single moment, such as the changing seasons or the falling of flower petals. From a ZEN perspective, eternal truth and absolute value are found in this very present moment as Mujou (無常; impermanence). This ZEN view of Mujou (無常), in which beauty lies substantially in its transience, is deeply intertwined with ZEN philosophy.
From a ZEN perspective, the beauty of nature, Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月), is considered to stand out precisely because of the underlying ZEN concept of Mujou (無常; impermanence).
The strongest sense of beauty we feel at the moment when cherry blossoms in full bloom begin to fall is because we know that those blossoms will NOT be there tomorrow, as Mujou (無常). If cherry blossoms were blooming forever, we would soon be bored and NOT be moved as much. We feel the ultimate beauty in the short life of the cherry blossoms, in the transience.
To appreciate nature in front of us from the bottom of our hearts that exists ONLY in the present moment means NOT clinging to the past or the future, but becoming one with that very moment, as the ZEN Master Dogen (道元)(1200–1253) teaches us in his ZEN concept Shikantaza (只管打坐; just sitting) to affirm the present moment with Mushin (無心; No-mind).
Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月) refers not only to the beautiful scenery of nature, but also to the peace of mind to appreciate the beauty of nature in four seasons and the refined aesthetic lifestyle itself.
As it's said that Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment by looking at the stars, Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月) is seen NOT merely as beautiful scenery of nature, but as the very truth of the Universe.
In ZEN philosophy, Kensho (見性) refers to a deep inner awareness gained NOT as intellectual knowledge, but as a direct real experience.
The ZEN philosophy of Mujou (無常; impermanence) is NOT simply about loneliness for our short lives, but rather, about cherishing this very moment that will NEVER return. The ZEN concept of Mujou (無常) has cultivated a spirit of Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月) that finds ultimate beauty in their transience and preciousness. This is the core of the Japanese ZEN spirit of NOT fearing change, and always living in the present.
In ZEN practices, encountering the beauty and transience of nature through Zazen (坐禅; seated meditation) and daily practices is considered a catalyst for Kensho (見性; discovering true self) to achieve enlightenment to see our true nature.
In ZEN philosophy, we not only appreciate Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月), but also find Kensho (見性; seeing one’s true nature), true self, by feeling ourselves as Ichinyo (一如; oneness) with nature. Seeing the truth of this ever-changing world and the unwavering true reality within beautiful nature can be described as the ZEN way of appreciating Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月).
Japanese people lived by coexisting with nature. Nature is not only beautiful to appreciate, but also has threatened, enraged, and often brought severe natural disasters to people, such as great earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, periodically since prehistory.
The beauty of nature in four seasons, Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月; flowers, birds, wind, and the Moon), serves as a spiritual foundation for the Japanese people, fostering a sense of awe for nature and the wisdom of coexisting with nature simultaneously, through the lens of ZEN philosophy.
Further reading (sponsored by Amazon):
● John Daido Loori (2007). The Zen of Creativity: Cultivating Your Artistic Life. 274 pages. Ballantine Books.
(sponsored by Amazon)
In “The Zen of Creativity: Cultivating Your Artistic Life,” American Zen master John Daido Loori taps the principles of the Zen arts and aesthetics as a means to unlock creativity and find freedom in the various dimensions of our existence. In “The Zen of Creativity: Cultivating Your Artistic Life,” Loori dissolves the barriers between art and spirituality, opening up the possibility of meeting life with spontaneity, grace, and peace. Beautifully illustrated and punctuated with poems and reflections from Loori’s own spiritual journey, “The Zen of Creativity: Cultivating Your Artistic Life” presents a multilayered, bottomless source of insight into our creativity!
Table of Contents
Epigraph
Praise
Introduction
Part 1 - The Crooked Path
1: Melting Snow
2: Mountains and Rivers
Part 2 - The Creative Spirit
3: The Still Point
4: Seeing with the Whole Body and Mind
5: Enlarging the Universe
6: Jeweled Mirror
7: Barriers
Part 3 - The Artless Arts
8: The Zen Aesthetic
9: Have a Cup of Tea
10: Dancing Brush
11: Mystery
12: Expressing the Inexpressible
Part 4 - Endless Spring
13: Intimate Words
14: Indra’s Net
About the Author
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