Everyday Kensho

This brilliant, enchanting novel, written in the first person, tells the life story of Hakuin, the renowned 18^th Century Japanese zen priest. The novel begins with Hakuin as a child called Iwajiro, raised by a devout Nichiren Buddhist mother, being terrified by an old priest describing the hell that awaits those who do not follow the Buddhist path. This awakes in the young Iwajiro a strong desire to achieve Awakening for the sake of all sentient beings. Eventually Iwajiro grows up and becomes old enough to enter a temple to pursue his vocation as a monk. He is given the name, Ekaku “Wise Crane”. The novel then follows Hakuin’s spiritual quest for Awakening until his eventual Kensho.  After this Hakuin becomes a teacher in his own right and takes charge of the temple, Shoin-ji, in his old home town.  It is significant that his most important Kensho experience occurs only halfway through the novel.  It is clear that Awakening is not the end. Hakuin goes on to teach, spreading the dharma and eventually instructing disciples of his own, his dharma heirs.  Even if this novel were not the life story of one of Japan’s greatest zen teachers it would still be very moving for following the life of one man from his childhood to his old age.

This book is remarkable. Hakuin’s voice is portrayed so clearly as to be almost a living presence. It is also apparent that it is work that could only have been written by someone with lived experience of the zen path. And so it is for the author, Alan Spence, although he began as a native Scottish writer, did indeed turn towards zen, publishing volumes of haiku and other works of fiction with a Buddhist theme as well as running, with his wife, the Sri Chinmoy meditation centre in Edinburgh.  He has also been the recipient of many awards for his poetry and is an Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing at Aberdeen University.

This is also a very beautiful novel. I cannot find anything to criticise and it seems that not a word is out of place.  Numerous haiku are scattered throughout the novel, and frequent mention is made of calligraphy and ink paintings. Alan Spence has also published other books of literature and poetry with a zen theme.  I am particularly looking forward to reading the collection of poems “Clear Light”.

This book is particularly interesting for its description of koans and koan practice.  Famously Hakuin is said to be the origin of the koan, “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” In this novel Hakuin and his disciples are shown doing battle with koans, struggling with them until they “break-through”, that is experience a kensho. It is also made clear by Hakuin that life situations can be taken as a living koan. Death is a koan. The purity and single minded devotion of Hakuin is admirable, and also inspiring.  If only I could be so constant.