Zen Words for Everyday Life Vol. 17

“If I do not live today wholeheartedly, I will not eat.” —this is the essence captured in the Zen phrase, ichizitsu nasazareba ichizitsu kurawazu (一日不作、一日不食), a teaching centered on the spirit of self-discipline.

The phrase is attributed to the eminent Zen Master Hyakujo Ekai (also known as Baizhang Huaihai), who was active in China during the 8th and 9th centuries. He is also credited with establishing the Hyakujo Shingi (Pure Rules of Baizhang), the first-ever set of rules governing the Zen sect.

Even in his old age, Master Hyakujo continued to join his disciples in samu each day, chopping firewood and tending the fields. Samu refers to the daily acts of Zen temple life approached mindfully. While it is an essential part of Zen practice, the disciples were deeply concerned for their aging master’s health and repeatedly urged him to rest, but he would not hear of it.

At last, in a desperate bid to have him rest, the disciples resorted to hiding his samu tools, such as his hoe and sickle. Without them, Master Hyakujo had no choice but to step back from his work. When mealtimes came, however, he no longer appeared in the monastery dining hall. His disciples brought food to his door, but still, he would not eat.

It was then that he spoke the words: “ichizitsu nasazareba ichizitsu kurawazu.” In other words, “I have not fulfilled my duties today. Therefore, I cannot accept a meal.”

This Zen phrase is often likened to the expression “He who does not work, neither shall he eat.” While often considered similar, the two sayings carry differing meanings.

The first difference between the two is that the Zen phrase is not strictly concerned with “work”, or labor in the conventional sense. Naturally, someone who is ill and unable to move, or a baby, cannot “work” in that sense. Yet an ill person can wholeheartedly accept medical care and express gratitude to those who care for them, just as a baby can cry to make its needs known. The Zen phrase, therefore, urges all people, regardless of their circumstances, to reflect on themselves: Have I lived today wholeheartedly?

The second difference lies in whether the judgment is directed at oneself or at others. Ichizitsu nasazareba ichizitsu kurawazu is, above all, a phrase about voluntarily reflecting on oneself and holding oneself to account. What matters is not what others say, but whether we ourselves feel we have done enough and how we choose to evaluate our own efforts. At the same time, if we set the bar too low for ourselves, that would defeat the purpose of the teaching entirely; finding this balance is no easy task.

In today’s world, food is readily available in stores everywhere. Even so, every meal is the result of an entire web of contributions, from nature’s own blessings to the hands that grew, prepared, and brought it to the table.

So, before your next meal, consider placing your palms together and taking a moment to give thanks for the food in front of you. And as you do so, perhaps turn your attention inward and ask: Have my efforts today been deserving of this meal?

This Zen phrase teaches us the importance of holding ourselves to our own standards, in ways that cannot be measured by others’ judgments or by external metrics alone.

Saihoji　 　 FUJITA Ryuko