Zen And The Art Of Archery

The bow and arrow plays a large role in a hunter’s society. Over the years, the advancement of the compound bow has changed the way people hunt. Many people don’t realize that we have our bowhunting pioneers to thank. If it wasn’t for them, Archery wouldn’t exist and we wouldn’t have the opportunity to make advancements to the sport! Traditional bowhunting consisted of using a stick bow, set of arrows, quiver, finger tab, and arm protector. Fred Bear was a bowhunting pioneer and is known as “The Father of Bowhunting” by many. He is the inventor of Bear Archery and one of the reasons bowhunting exists today! Many people in our modern world take things for granted. It is for this reason we should consider

A brief comparison between Zen and Pure Land Buddhism, both of these are very popular amongst the Vietnamese community. The word Zen has been used many times in the West, due to the hard work of Japanese culture; Zen Buddhism does not have a strong influence as that of the Pure Land Buddhism. Also in the school of Zen, "they reject claims of scriptural authority and embrace many different practices". Zen Buddhism rests on claims to an exclusive lineage that has been passed down from teacher to disciple in a succession from "Shakyamuni", or the historical "Buddha", all the way to the present day.

Soko Morinaga was a Japanese liberal arts student who called up to the front line during World War II. At that time, he lost his parents, family’s land, and his trust in the world. Soko idled away his time for some days and decided to go to Zen temples. First, Soko went to meet Goto Zuigan Roshi, Master of Daishuin temple. After his master training him with trust, he retook his trust for others, especially for Master Roshi. Also, he made a vow to his master that to become a Zen monk. Then, Soko went to Daitokuji monastery. After few days of ordeal, Soko was allowed to enter to Daitokuji monastery. Soko had hard training and became a monk at Daitokuji monastery. At Daitokuji，Master Zuigan showed the meaning of trust for Soko. Trust can be categorized into three classes: trust in the world, trust in others, and self-confidence. In the essay “My Struggle To Become A Zen Monk, ” by introduced theme of trust and how it relates to the human problem of social trust.

Author Ralph Waldo Emerson once sad " Unless you try something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow". On past experiences in my life I would agree with Emerson because one will never truly master something but people everyday have said people have mastered a sport or a instrument but everyday that person practices on that one thing all the time. Look at some great sports players like Messi or Stephen Curry both are spectacular at what they do. Messi was looked at by many people when he was young at not able to play due to how short and small he was. He started to practice on end to help him get to a point where a small soccer team picked him up and play for them at this point he wasn't done so he got even better and now competes with some of the other worlds best

There are not many activities out there that relax and soothe me quite like shooting my bow. It is not as simple as it sounds though, just pulling on the string, releasing the string, and watching the arrow fly towards your target. There are a number of aspects that must be taken into consideration when trying to shoot a bow and arrow efficiently, this is where we will get into the physics of archery.

A man's hunting skills and inclinations are fostered early in childhood, often beginning when he is only a toddler. Toy bows and arrows are given to small children at a young age. Stationary

Archery Club Meeting for any 6, 7, and 8 graders: Archery club will be having a meeting at Shattuck Middle School any student interested in learning how to shoot a bow or to those who already know how. You do not need to have any experience or equipment to join; we have different levels and equipment for all participants. We will discuss when the club will meet in the future and hand out a permission slip to be taken home. The meeting will take place in room C57 (Mr. Meyer's room) at Shattuck Middle School on Thursday November 8, 2012 from 3:30 to 4:15. Please make sure a ride will be here to pick you up. See you then, and stay on target with your grades. If you cannot stay for the

All my life I have been goal driven, ever since I was a young boy I had the goal to shoot my first bear. I was an avid hunter and I loved to be in the wilderness and hunt what I could. Then finally one year when I back of age, I had my shot. I was hunting up in Swatara, MN and I was in the stand with my father. Directly below me was a 300lb black bear and it did not know we were there. All of a sudden I pulled up to shoot and I ended up missing... I was completely devastated since that was my chance to claim a black bear for myself. After that happened I started to doubt myself at first. I thought less of myself because I missed one shot. I then realized that the only way to get better is to practice. Indeed I did... The next year came by and I was by myself in my stand.

Obviously, no one is taking 200 yard shots with even the most powerful crossbow, so long range capability isn't a concern while bow hunting. Now it may be a big concern to the bow hunter who also uses a rifle (or even just plays golf, but that's another topic). But just focusing on the act of bow hunting, the typical 100 yard range limit of most dedicated bow hunting range finders would be fine.

With dedication, one can achieve greatness. When one practices enough, they will become good enough to excel past expectations. If one is persistent enough for the right amount of rime, one can reach the goal he has set for himself. The road to success may not always be easy, but that is where the men and the boys are separated.

A Japanese philosopher we have studies extensively is Dogen. He is a 13th century Japanese’s Buddhist priest who founded the Sōtō School of Zen in Japan. Dogen focused on the importance of the sitting meditation of zazen as a method of achieving Zen and enlightenment though not thinking/ thinking beyond. Dogen’s ideas differed to that of the Sixth Patriarch in The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch. This Buddhist script that was composed in China during the 8th to 13th century focused on teachings and stories of śīla (conduct), dhyāna (meditation) and prajñā (wisdom). The interesting points of discussion between these two different approaches to Zen teaching are the Buddha nature, method of attaining enlightenment, self and other,

There are many factors that play a very important part in our lives. Consistent practice, a growth mind-set, and supportive mentors light up the road that leads us to success. If someone practice for hours, but does not have a growth mind-set or supportive mentors, then it is next to impossible to accomplish his goal. And if another one has a growth mind-set, but does not practice or has someone to support him, then he can not make it to the end. Thus, all of these factors complete each other to pave the road of success. Practicing for hours makes us better at doing that thing. Having a growth mind-set helps us improve ourselves. The supportive mentors give us the strength to make it through the bad times. High achievers are not naturally gifted, but they had all the factors that helped them be where they are now. Their hard work paid off nicely at the

The deer hunt tests your patience and in my case- accuracy. One day my brother told me to come up to him on the property. When I arrived there I caught my breath and calmed down to be able to take my best shot. After that we then situated our selves for the shot. It was a long 150 yard shot. I held my aim and didn’t even breath to be able to take the perfect shot. Once I shot, the deer all of the sudden trotted away. I had missed! However, I took three more shots, right after the third shot the deer dropped dead instantly.

Zen in the Art of Archery, by Eugen Herrigel describes the ritualistic arts of discipline and focus that the Zen religion focuses around. In this book, Herrigel describes many aspects of how archery is, in fact, not a sport, but an art form, and is very spiritual to those in the east. The process he describes shows how he overcame his initial inhibitions and began to look toward new ways of seeing and understanding. In the beginning of the book Herrigel tells us that he is writing about a ritual and religious practice, “whose aim consists in hitting a spiritual goal, so that fundamentally the marksman aims at himself and may even succeed in hitting himself.” (Herrigel p. 4) Through his studies, the author discovers that within the Zen

Thus, the bow and arrow held special significance performing such rituals, and serving as serving the warrior as a powerful weapon. During one battle at Katsuura, the Genji warrior Yoichi Munetaka was chosen to hit a fan that was placed on bow of a Taira warship, beconing any archer to show his worth by shooting it down. Munetaka, unsure, says, "I am not sure I can hit it. It would be an eternal disgrace to our side if I missed it.(p.367)" Ordered by Yoshitsune to fire on the fan and affraid to refuse, Munetaka closed his eyes in silent prayer. "Hail, Great Bodhisattva Hachiman and ye gods of my province at Nikko, Utsu-no-miya and Nasu Yuzen! Vouchsafe that I may hit the center of that fan. If I miss, I will smash my bow and kill myself; I will never show my face to others again. If it is your will that I return home, keep my arrow from straying." When he opened his eyes, the wind seemed somewhat gentler, and the fan looked easier to hit. (p.368) Warriors often conducted such prayers to bring them good luck and safety on the battlefield.