Why is the Teacher Student relationship in Zen so important?
The teacher/student relationship in Zen is important because the practice of Zen cannot be transmitted through books, talks or intellectual methods. Zen is not a conventional practice that one can learn through mimicking or reading books. It’s an esoteric method that’s learned through doing and personal guidance, much like a master sculptor teaching an apprentice. It’s hands on and experiential. It also requires the dedication and disciplined willingness of the student to follow directions and test out the experience of Zen for themselves. Just like being in an apprenticeship with a master sculptor, only the mentor can assess how far the student has progressed. There are no self-qualifying Zen teacher in the Zen lineage. It would be ludicrous to ask students in university to evaluate their own papers or give themselves a graduation approval. The same applies to the practice of Zen. Only the teacher can evaluate how far a Zen student has progressed on the path. It is our respect for our teacher’s efforts and compassion to follow their guidance and awaken to our Buddha nature.
Why is the Teacher Student relationship in Zen so important?
After listening to Dharma talks or reading about Zen, a person may wish to become a formal Zen student. When this happens, the prospective student can approach a guiding Zen teacher and ask if the teacher would be willing to accept him/her as a student. Listening to or attending Zen Dharma talks is a way to learn more about Zen but this does not signify that one is in a Zen teacher/student relationship. A person is not a Zen student in our tradition if the formal teacher-student relationship is not established. In Zen, the relationship between teacher and student begins once the aspirant requests the teacher’s guidance and the teacher accepts to offer spiritual guidance under the Zen method. In the Zen tradition, both the teacher and student must agree to having this relationship established.
When is the Zen teacher/student relationship formed?
If both the teacher and student agree to forming the teacher/student relationship, the relationship is formalized with a ceremony in which the student accepts the Three Gems, Five Precepts, and Zen Vows. The teacher is the one administering this ceremony and this marks the beginning of the teacher/student relationship in the teaching of the Zen method.
What is the difference between listening to Dharma talks and becoming a Zen Student?
Anyone can listen to or read the Dharma, that act is not the same as an experiential Zen practice. In order to embark on an experiential Zen practice, one needs to have a teacher-student relationship for directions and personal guidance. If someone wishes to make a commitment to Zen through the teacher/student relationship, deeper and more personalized teachings are offered. The Rinzai Zen method focuses heavily on the teacher/student relationship. It is impossible to practice Rinzai Zen without the guidance of a teacher. Zen students commit to follow and practice the methods of Zen and Zen teachers commit to give instruction and direction to Zen students.
Why do some people wear robes at Zen?
Zen students who have taken their Three Gems and Five Precepts (or more) wear robes when they practice. These students have committed to the Zen path and are in a formal teacher/student relationship with their guiding teacher. In Zen, this means the skillful application of Zen methods, a commitment to practice zazen (meditation) daily, and live daily life according to the precepts and vows.
Why does the Zen teacher wear a brown robe too?
The brown robe signifies that person has been requested and authorized to teach by his/her Zen teacher. The student must take on the Boddhisattva Vows and Precepts before teaching. This authorization to teach occurs when the Zen student is acknowledged by his/her teacher as clearly understanding the Dharma, possessing the right body of knowledge and skills and having a high degree of humility in the practice. Authorized teachers had went through many years of rigourous post-Kensho practice, an extensive Koan cirriculum to deepen and bring the Zen awakening experience to everyday life.
Free free to check out Lotus Vu’s Dharma Talk from April 16, 2019 on the importance of the precepts on the Zen practice.