Zen Buddhist talks on philosophy

Can the Annenberg School for Communication be a place inspiring spiritual peace and enlightenment? It was Monday night, when Chief Abbott Roshi Fukushima of Japan's Tofukuji Zen Buddhist sect came to talk to students about Bodhi Dharma Zen. In his lecture -- co-sponsored by the Center for East Asian Studies and the University Museum -- Fukushima discussed the teachings of the Bodhi Dharma, the first Indian monk to spread Buddhism to China. In order to clearly describe the more abstract concepts of the Dharma philosophy, Fukushima used his wit and spiritual knowledge to inform and entertain the crowd of more than 75 people. Some of the concepts stressed during the lecture included "enlightenment," "the awakening" and the state Zen masters achieve called "no mind" --the state in which one has no ego. Although these are all states that Zen monks hope to experience, Fukushima stated that followers of other religions, such as Christianity, can attain similar states. Fukushima also noted that one must be careful when coming across statements in Zen philosophy that seem negative -- such as when Zen Buddhists tell their followers not to have longings for fame or glory. He explained that this is a philosophical attempt to teach Zen followers the art of strengthening the mind and transcending the body's yearnings. He added that American students are, in general, very "intellectual," and absorb most of Zen through its philosophical statements. "Fukushima's purpose here is to introduce and deepen Zen to Americans," Cameron Hurst, director for the Center of East Asian Studies, said. Hurst added that this is the third time Fukushima has visited Penn. He lectures at about 20 different sites in America, most of them universities and Zen centers. Other parts of Fukushima's lecture focused on personal anecdotes and words of wisdom that Zen inspires. "To do things without attachment or meaning is one of the great virtues which Zen teaches," he said. When one student asked how the Zen philosophy was related to a daily lifestyle, Fukushima responded that Zen teaches one to feel different emotions and to deal with the different phases of life. "When you start practicing Buddhism, you begin by cutting off your bad, egotistic self. The way to experience enlightenment is to continue cutting off your ego," Fukushima explained. "Through this process, you will begin to experience compassion." Toward the end of the lecture, Fukushima wrote down the Japanese characters for the four main teachings of the Dharma -- "No merit," "nothing holy," "I don't know," and "the mind is to be found nowhere." Third-year Wharton doctoral student Erica Okada said, "I got the Japanese perspective of Zen from this lecturer, which has led to my more holistic understanding of the art." Okada also noted that the teachings in Buddhism and Zen provide the means for balancing the busy life that most Penn students face. It may also help students lead more fulfilling lives, she said.