What Aspects of Zen Buddhism Appealed to the Samurai - Essay Example

Zen originated in India, became a formal philosophy in China, and found following in Japan in the 1200s. In Japan, it was the samurai class that embraced Zen most fully.  The samurai comprised the warrior class that served the emperors and members of the landed aristocracy; the word samurai translates to ‘men who serve’ and their code of conduct is contained in the Bushido (where bushi means ‘warriors’). Zen particularly appealed to the Samurai because of its emphasis on simplicity of lifestyle and spiritual and physical discipline.  Meditation and a study of insoluble problems became the means of cleansing an individual of earthly desires and focusing on nothingness to discover the ‘inner truth’ (Smitha, 2011).  It is this ability to concentrate on the present moment to the exclusion of all else that enabled the Samurai to live, fight and die without fear, hesitation, or regret.  The Samurai could detach their mind from everything, move with perfect freedom, and reflect their opponent’s mind.  They are not distracted by the prospect of the changing tide of combat, of doubt or fear; they can concentrate completely on the task of the moment, to kill and be killed.  The Samurai also believed in karma and rebirth, which makes this life but a stepping stone for them to the next life.  This makes the Samurai utterly fearless.