ABSTRACT
In the writings or stories of many of its masters, Zen appears as an austere discipline requiring years of asceticism in order to bring about359satori or enlightenment. The enlightenment experience is usually said to occur, if at all, only after prolonged physical and mental training of shattering rigour. Bankei's Zen is by contrast approachable and unfrightening, in many ways reminiscent of the gentler spontaneities of Daoism (cf. Laozi). Whilst he attained his own satori only after ascetic practices which brought him close to death, Bankei came to believe that this method was mistaken and unnecessary, and in his own ministry advocated a much simpler way to the goal of Zen. He had a genuine concern not only for monks but for lay people of all ranks, and he took care to speak to them directly and with reference to their own concerns. Whilst his thought rests on the philosophy of the Mahayana, he keeps technicalities out of his discourse as far as possible, focusing instead on how to lead a daily life in the light of Zen teaching. Absent from his sermons or dharma talks are references to the sutras or koans or the lives of past masters; instead there is a sharp focus on the concerns of our daily lives, especially the ego, its attachments and emotions. Human nature has not changed since Bankei wrote, with the result that he addresses us as directly as his audience at the time.
