Budo: The Martial Way
"Zen without the accompanying physical experience is nothing but empty discussion. Budo without truly realizing the mind is nothing but beastly behavior. We agree to undertake all of this as the essence of our training."
- Omori Sogen Roshi
Korinji’s Zen lineage stresses that genuine spiritual practice is embodied and energetically vital. For this reason, physical disciplines like martial arts are especially valued because they train body, breath, energy, and fearlessness in ways that complement Zen. This is the path of Zen-Ken-Sho, “Zen-Sword-Brush”: the unity of Zen practice, martial discipline, and fine arts.
Korinji Budojo is the division of the monastery overseeing our Budo curriculum, arising from our abbot's long experience of both modern and classical martial arts. Training at the monastery encompasses To-ho (long and short sword methods, including batto: sword-drawing), Jukendo and Tankendo (bayonet), and Taijutsu (body methods).
Through practice of these forms that arose on the edge of life and death, students polish their spirits like swords: the enemy to be faced is not another person, but fear, hesitation, anger, and attachment within oneself.
All monastery residents undertake Budo practice as part of their intensive training immersion. During ango, the two annual terms of monastic residency, classes are held three time a week that are also open to our members. Periodic intensive training events are conducted at Korinji and elsewhere. Please see the Calendar for more information.
Budo organizations with which we are associated include:
The Aikikai Foundation/Aikido World H.Q. through Aikido Shimbokukai,
