The Music of Buddha Nature - Blowing Zen through the Shakuhachi

Abstract

Suizen, 吹禅, a Japanese word which means blowing Zen, is known as a meditative practice of Zen Buddhism using the Shakuhachi bamboo flute to achieve a state of self-realization into the Buddha nature. Based on principles of common origin of Zen School and Nyingma School, this article presents an interpretation of the understanding of the mind and the seeing of the Buddha nature which are the objectives of Zen practices and reveals this through the music of the traditional Shakuhachi repertory.