Understanding Zen Through Martial Practice: Spiritual Attainment in the Martial Arts

Abstract

This work is an examination of the fundamentals of Zen Buddhist philosophy in relation to martial arts practice. Though each style of martial arts developed within a particular context, which is crucial to understanding that system correctly, there is an underlying state of mind that they all aspire to attain in their practice. In incorporating Zen meditative practices into the martial arts, one learns to further cultivate this powerful mind operating system and cultivate oneself both as a person as well as a martial artist. The objective of this examination is to draw parallels between Zen meditation and martial arts training and explore the reasons why Zen’s core philosophical doctrine and meditative practice can be integrated into the martial arts.

Keywords: Zen Buddhism, Zen philosophy, Martial Arts Philosophy, Martial Arts, Ego-mentalism, Enlightenment, Spiritual Attainment in the Martial Arts, Shorinji Kempo, Russian Systema, Buddhism, Buddhist Philosophy, Zen meditation, Ego, higher consciousness, martial arts, spirituality, meditation, mindfulness