Zen Words for Everyday Life Vol. 3

The word shujinko appears in Case 12 of the Zen book Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate), which tells a story about the famed Zen Master Zuigan who lived in China during the Tang Dynasty.

Every morning, he called out to himself, “Shujinko!”
“Yes,” he would answer.
“Are you wide awake?”
“Yes.”

If we look up the word shujinko in the dictionary, we will find several definitions, such as:

1. An honorific title for one’s master
2. The central character in a novel, play, film, etc. The protagonist.

Many English translations of the story above follow that first definition, showing Zuigan calling out, “Master!” For most modern-day Japanese speakers, on the other hand, the definition that immediately comes to mind is probably the second one—the protagonist. However, Master Zuigan actually seems to be following a different definition altogether.

3. The true self

This third meaning is the one used in Zen Buddhism, including in works such as The Gateless Gate. It is the self that all people have from the moment they are born. Not only is it the true self, it is also the pure self. The inner self. It is said that the original meaning of shujinko was, in fact, this third definition, which is our theme for the day.

At first glance, it might seem comical for Zuigan to not only call out to himself, but also to respond. It is as if he is trying to confirm his own existence – his own way of being. However, in this day and age where we get swept up in turbulent whirlpools and currents of all kinds of rapidly flowing information, is it not true that our vision gets narrowed and we get entangled by the world? As we endure the busy day-to-day grind of modern life, do we not stiffen ourselves, causing our own shoulders to tense up into knots?

Perhaps there is meaning for us to reflect on this word shujinko and what it can teach us about living a truly abundant life.

The shujinko is the self that only you know and only you understand. It is your true self as you ought to be. Try asking your shujinko if you are living your own life without regrets. If you feel like your answer may be “No,” then perhaps it is time to make a change.

Saihoji　 　 FUJITA Ryuko