Yoshizen's Blog

Hydrangea Otaksa

Mag

Early summer or before a summer starts,  Japan has a rainy season

(middle of June to middle of July) somewhat akin to the monsoon.

Every day is a rainy day.  And under the rain, it is the time to appreciate

pale blue Hydrangea flowers = 紫陽花 アジサイ.

There are many famous Hydrangea Garden arround Tokyo, especially

in Kamakura city (one hour from Tokyo), Meigetsu-in Temple, Hase-dera

Temple, Jyoju-in Temple are only name but few.   

Why Hydrangea in the Temple  is because of its meditative blue color.

Buddhist monks are the sombre  people.  😀  — I’m just kidding.  😀

non

You might have heard that the Hydrangea flower originated from

Japan.  It was brought back to the Netherlands and spread to the

Europe in late 19th century and since then many horticultural

varieties were created especially in England.

The person who introduced it to the west was a German Doctor working

in the Dutch mercantile, in Nagasaki, Philip Franz von Siebold.

( In fact, he came  Japan twice, and for the second time he acted as a

foreign affair adviser for the Shogun )

While he was in Japan, along side working as a doctor and teaching

western medicine, he studied Japanese Flora and Fauna, and collected

vast amount of botanical specimen as well.  From this study and the

research, worked together with a Botanist J.G. Zuccarini, a book

[Japanese Flora] was published.   In this book, one of the native plant

was named as Hydrangea Otaksa.  ( though, it has been renamed to

Hydrangea macropylla (Thunb) seringe f. macropylla )

Shy Siebold himself made an excuse that the name Otakusa came  

from local name though, a Japanese Botanist, Tomitaro Makino

later traced back its origin to his Japanese wife Otaki-san.

 

The name he put, Otaksa came from non other than his Japanese wife

Otaki-san in deed. (Incidentally, a daughter he made to Otaki-san,

the Oine = 楠本イネ, became the first female doctor, gynecologist in the

Japanese Medical history.)

He must loved her so much, as he even taught his Parrot to repeat her

name “Otaki-san” —– and a funny story was that since then it became

a custom to teach a Parrot to call the name ”Otake-san” in Japan.

( Similar to a custom in Japan, a lots of dog has their name “Pochi”

—– originally it was copied from the call for a dog “Pooch” in

English or American.)   😀

 

nonBotanical research institutes in the world exchanges their collection

each other.  When I was in my Uni’, my part-time work was taking

botanical photos and making the specimen in the Makino Herbarium=

牧野植物標本館 (a part of the Science Dept’ )

One day, the Herbarium received a parcel from the Science Dept’ of

the Leiden University, Netherlands.

It was the very botanical specimen which  Siebold had taken to 

the Netherlands.    And 110 years later, they were returned to Japan.

As I happened to have best dexterity, I was asked to stick those old

fragile specimen onto the card paper, then labelling them.

It was an extremely delicate work.   Not only the specimen were

completely dry old plants, but the paper base is not solid board.

Any bending force to the base paper would crumble the specimen.

Hence the binding tape need to have some margin of gap to allow

the specimen to move, while securely holding it.

The specimen itself were nothing special —– they are quite

common (to Japanese eyes)  plants, such as cherry blossoms etc.

(though, Hydrangea wasn’t included)  but the matter was its

association with historical figure Siebold who taught the Japanese

herbalists to sort the plants in real scientific way first time.

Non

While making those specimen I’ve put a plank — I wrote my name

under the label with thin pencil. It is not visible though, if anybody

see through the label against the light, the name may be seen.

( This is the first time I revealed such mischief to the others.)  😀

Few years ago, I heard from a retired Professor of Makino Herbarium,

the portable specimen dryers powered by mobile electric generator

which I designed and made for the Ogasawara expedition ( I made its

metal work  in the Technology Dept’s work shop) were still there and

nearly 40 years later they are still working !

— its funny to think the staff of the herbarium might be wondering

to see the name on the dryer’s label “Who the hell, this guy ?”

(A facility in a big institute show no personal name as a manufacturer)

And in the Japanese practice, the photos taken by the staff doesn’t

show the photographer’s name. So, my name only remains on member

list of the expedition and behind the labels of Siebold collection.

—– it’s a hidden joke.    😀

 

PS: The Hydrangea in the Photo above is rather primitive type

( I couldn’t find the exact name of it though) unlike the common

types, this flower showed the real flower in the centre of sepal.

The common horticultural variety has atrophied flower  (in fact, 

it is not a flower but just the sepals)

I rather like to see the flowers in its natural form than in

an artificially created “gorgeous” style.

*****

ogasawara-001-2

Hydrangea Otakusa / Makino / Ogasawara Expedition

Order in Disorder (2)

Before the Buddhism evolved into Mahayana, the followers try to understand the existences in each

definition, in order, such as described in the Abidharma Kosa, and tried to fix the rules,  so that,

in effect,  made the person into the orderly ideal TYPE.

Then, the Buddhists realized that there is no such things like an orderly type nor

orderly existences —– no order is the order.

Like the nature, even a Hurricane or a Tsunami are also a part of the Dharma, not mention a Death.

Try to impose an ideal TYPE or the imagined ORDER and branding anything else are evil,  is

the human invention, and such thinking is nothing but the delusion.

In contrast to [see the Dharma as it is ], — [try to impose the idea over the Dharma ] is

the fundamental difference between Mahayana and Hinayana.

Accept the Dharma as it is, accept the human as human not an ideal TYPE,  was

the starting point of the Mahayana Buddhism.

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From his earliest period, Buddha’s teachings consists of the Four Noble Truth, in which

Buddha defined that the Life is suffering, getting ill and getting old then to die —– far from any

ideal TYPE of the life. —– but this was what Buddha did find.

And it took 500 years for the followers to realize what it’s really meant.

Still, if the situation of the life is confined only to this,

Buddha wouldn’t have taught his enlightened wisdom of —– how to deal with

this apparently hopeless situation.

The Buddha’s answer was,  against this disorderly situation (Samsara),  to live the life

in Mushin (which can be acquired through the practice)  would open the way to live without

fear or negative thought,  and away from any negative effect of ego and the delusion.

—– therefore lead to the peaceful Nirvana.

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Only the rules what Buddha found was the Rule of the Karma though, as he also explained the

constantly changing nature of the Dharma (which include ourself),  this Rule still having unknowable

hence,  no-order again.

Yet still,  strangely you might think,  this uncertainty still retains the overall direction of the Karma.

(Which is the direction of the Dharma) —– situation constantly changes,  occurrences seemed random,

still we pick up what the one should pick up = on the end the one goes to certain direction.

Only the matter is, to pick up right one. —– To do this, its need to have clear eyes

and absolutely calmed, exposed sensory. —– here, the Buddhist’s practice comes in.

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To the absolutely opened eyes and the mind of no-mind = Mushin,  even a minute sign of

something happening will be seen.    And as the mind is open, usually an out of scope kind

of irrelevant matter (which can be crucial to one’s  life)  may also be seen.

Stereotype,  self-imposed casting always limiting one’s perception and cause wrong thinking.

But, creative, progressive idea and the direction is over this barrier —– why you find this ?  why you ?

is the indication of [ because you were assigned to do this] —– this is what the direction mean.

To the outsider,  the nature / the Dharma looks No-Order though,  to the open mind = Mushin,  it looks no

problem —– since he could see the direction and be in contended as in the right direction.  He stays calm.

Non

– – – “ Oh, C’mon, can’t you see, the World is disintegrating

“Yes I can see, its true.  But because of that, somebody has been assigned to work hard and dealing with it.

So, if he asks your help.   Help him.   If not, don’t interfere him, or worrying about it yourself.

If the Dharma in deed had the intention for the World to sink,

the Dharma didn’t assign him to solve the problem”

Put faith on the Dharma.  🙂

___/\___

PS :  It may look nicer to shout against the Nuclear Power or multi-national Capitalists etc. while pretending

to be a conscience of Planet Earth though,  I don’t think it is not necessary a typical Buddhist’s attitude,

unless the one was born to be a campaigner.    Because, the Buddhism is not stand on the mouth but practice.

Before open the mouth,  better stop wasting energy, electricity etc,  stop buying bottled water,  fizzy drink,

give up the car etc etc.   Those practices may be in your hand but, —– ? ? ?  how many people in the world

can stop the Nuke ?  —– the drive to change the policy of some country to give up Nuke was not by the

campaign,  but by an accident in Japan which costed hundreds of billions of money.  Money speaks louder.

In emotion, everybody feel ” What a hell, Japanese government is doing (or not doing !)”  though, it need to

think what an emotional shout can affect the actual policy there  —– yet, on the Election, they vote to the

well-known TV characters or comedian —– ? ? ?    (What’s  going on there)

Anyhow,  no-one’s conscience or emotion would give a halt to earthquake or tsunami  😀

(To the Planet Earth, it was a small wobble to release a tension (so, it was a rational adjustment.  Not a

disorderly passion ) though, for us, minute human being, it was a devastating quake) we are utterly powerless.)

—– but this is what the nature / Dharma is.

non

Order in Disorder (1)

Reflecting back my own life, I myself often amazed, or even bemused,

how I’ve been coming through chancy life.   I wouldn’t say I was anything casual or irresponsible,

because if there was anything due, I did my bargain in my best.   But beside this, I put even more effort for

something else which is not necessary I was expected to do. —– but in the hind sight, I’m wondering

whether it was my choice or just happened to be there, and I just picked it up ?

When I was small, my interest was the Nature, insect or plant kind.    But it was not my choice.

Soon after the war ended, Tokyo was a burnt down city, not much other than a wild field to go around and

no sports facility or game kind there.     (My hobby of electronics was definitely my choice. And to get the

components, I needed to take a journey to Akihabara where ex-Korean war junk was sold — and those

mechanical-electronical components  such as variable condenser, vacuum bulb’s intricate, futuristic

structure fascinated me ! )

For me to turn my eyes to human life and its psyche was happened when one of the (bad) boy in the

secondary school incited me to read a book of the notorious suicidal novelist, Osamu Dazai.

(so, I became bad boy too —– and became a rebel )

And to start to go to mountain other than for chasing the insects was, simply the class teacher organized an

out of school activity club and I joined it.    (Since I was familiar with walking on the hill or in the woods)

And this activity continued while getting heavier and heavier even to winter rock climbing level.    (Its mean,

I did this, one of the physically, mentally hardest training from 12 years to 27 years, up to 1/3rd of the year

in the mountain)

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For me to take the subject of  Industrial Sociology  in my Uni’ was also a sheer coincidence.

A Professor of Industrial Sociology asked me to help his project, and I got involved deeper, that’s all.

But I personally learned from him, how to observe and analyse the man and its society.

(Visualize somebody’s life and give an insight “If I were the man in there, how do I feel

and behave”—– this approach gave me great insight, and the way to see the human life

—– instead of imposing the view or criteria of observation, not to take superficial

observation of one’s behaviour, but to see the situation from the person’s psyche and his

stance, was the crucial attitude I learned from him)

And while in my Uni’ I spent most of the time  (well, while I was not in the mountain)  in the Herbalium in

the Science dept’ despite I was studying sociology.    This Makino Herbalium is one of the largest in Japan

having millions of botanical specimen and I was working there, taking photo of plant or making specimen.

It was my part-time work to pay for the Uni’ and to go to mountain or skiing.

While there, I was asked to join 3 expeditions to help botanists as a botanical photographer and an expert of

jungle walking   🙂 —– in fact for those reason I remained in my Uni’ altogether 7 years.

(with annoyance of the administrator, who shouted me  “Are you still here ?” 😀 )

———- but I might have made a mistake to become a photographer   😀

( But if I were not a photographer, I didn’t come and to live here —– it was a necessary

 element in the course of my life —– like a Butterfly Effect / minute change may cause

the drastic difference in the end result —– therefore, there is no regret )

( To deal with close-up photography,  it is necessary to improvise or even specially design the equipments.

Working in a part of the Science Dept’,  I could access the engineering machine in the Technology Dept’ and

having the knowledges of electronics lead me to design even special camera.  It happened, as it happened.

—– was that natural consequence or just a lucky coincidence  —– it’s a good question  🙂 )

non

Then I left Japan.  And while staying in England as a photojournalist, suddenly the awkward court case was

started which I had no choice.   I had to deal with the case as a Litigant in Person while learning English Law

overnight —– and I was forced to give up photographic business.   Court case really consume time though,

in the other hand,  if next hearing is months away —- suddenly, too much time but nothing to do.

So that, I got plenty time for reading and thinking —– about  Zen.  Then, suddenly  “ Alas,

now I know,  all through my life,  I was given the hardest training to become a Zen monk”.

I’ve learned Nature. Then my scope was expanded to human existence while dealing with sociology and

working in the mountain as a voluntary keeper,  seeing the people in their edge of  the life.   Hence, farther

into the spiritual fundamental aspects of humanity.

(but didn’t learn how to deal with funeral , so, don’t ask me to conduct a funeral 😀 )

(Since, the Court case was caused by a woman’s explotitation of my immigration status, I was quarified to decrear

” Woman is the cause of nothing but the trouble”  hence I quit to deal with woman.  Literally became a monk  😀  )

Non

Looks utterly chancy life though, on the end, it converged into one direction.

And yet another coincidence,  I happen to start this Zen blogging.

Before I left Japan,  I was told by my mother who was a psychic, and while she was reading my palm line

“Since you got mission, you wouldn’t be fallen before your task was accomplished. Therefore I wouldn’t

worrying about you at all” —– I don’t know the reason why I don’t get ill (I still have no registered Doctor

while staying in this country 35 years), or in the mountain,  I had falls on the rock 3 times though never

injured.   And I’ve broken 3 skis but never broken any bone   😀

—– It’s hard to tell, whether all of those are just the sheer coincidences, and I was just lucky

—– or something else ? —– there seems to be no order or rational connection, everything

were just occurred,  yet still,  in the hind sight,  there was a certain direction.

( If A hasn’t been there, encountering  B wouldn’t be happened, then at the B, conveniently C

happened —– and so on,  and lead to  Z  on the end = this is the life. )

? is this the hidden order ? —– Or the Dharma’s intention ?

___/\___

( To be continued to the next post  🙂  )

FORMURA in DHARMA

I have written about how Leonardo Davinch was obsessed with his Masonic belief a while ago.

And it is well known that the Masonic people has been trying to figure out the fundamental rule of

the universe in its proportion or mathematical formula, hence the architectural proportion of

the old temple etc.

Fibonacci number / its rule of consecutive numbers are one of the rules found in nature —–

since they thought, it should have the ultimate power of rule of universe. etc etc.   ( It is true, some plants

and its order of distribution of  leaves or seeds on the pod shows certain pattern, hence certain formula

which lead to the discovery of the very Fibonacci number ) —– so what ?

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Unfortunately, there is no such magic formula to solve the trouble in the human life.

If the perfect proportion of the old temple have had any mythical protective power of the universe,

it couldn’t have been destroyed.

It is a tendency of the dream of lazy and yet greedy man —— to grub the power and the fortune

by tricking using the simple and easy formula —– and believing such things could ever exist.

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Of cause, Buddha taught no such things could ever exists, and such idea is nothing

but a delusion. —– though, some Mahayana Mantras having many fancy super natural stories.

A man who read Diamond Mantra and wanted to gain such super natural power, asked me to teach

the secret of Zen. (since he believed I’ve got it —– how nice complement 😀 )

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Give a thought or two to what Buddha taught —–

Fixed formula which got only few parameters only works to the fixed, limited condition.

Buddha said, nothing stays permanent and keep changing moment to moment = out of

reach of any fixed formula.

Such formula is a product of our poor thinkings —– how we can rely such idea when the author,

ourself is unreliable.   Even its existence is not certain.

Above all, what is the intention to get such secret formula for — to get the good result quick ?

To get power and the fortune in easy way ? = What a greed and the arrogance.

Such greed or arrogance negates any virtue of the Buddhism.

One Buddhists sect recruiting the people saying “Get happiness quick“— though, such idea to appeal

the people’s greed negates Buddhism itself.   ( You can see, despite they are taking a lots though they

are the most miserable people — only able to repeat what was written in the book, and thinking  Happy)

Strange Paradox of  Goodness in the  Buddhism only came  out of  absolute nothing. From No expectation.

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Buddha didn’t give an answer to many questions — long time myself has been thinking, because

it was not necessary for us to know, — though I realized, it was the very answer Buddha intended to give.

The answer itself is a notion, whether it was said by Buddha or not.  When the notion itself and

the condition based upon it couldn’t exist in a fixed form, there couldn’t be

a fixed answer = no answer is the very answer.

—– Then all the another pieces of his teachings fallen into the jigsaw —– that’s why the clear eyes to

see the Dharma is essential = Dharma itself is not fixed entity, it changes a moment to moment,

hence the flow of response is essential. The free mind, not cringe to any fixed idea, away from any

deluded idea or belief is essential = Mind of No-Mind is the key to see the Dharma.

Its mean, the compliance to the situation is the matter. See the situation as it is.

And the response on this moment may not be the same to a response a moment ago.

Its mean, there is no fixed formula. Or no-formula is the ultimate formula.

No quick fix with anticipation exists.

Don’t worry with bad anticipation, until its happened, it hasn’t happened yet.

When it’s happened, then, take best action —– as long as you keep your eyes clear,

the situation you see is far better than misguided anticipation.

Flexible structure is much stronger even in an earthquake.

This is the Buddhism.   Buddhists never miss the moment.

___/\___

non

SEXUAL Conotation

It is a funny paradox. I always amazed to find that the search term and its wording which end up

here having many sexual connotations.   Its mean I’ve been giving so much disappointment to

those who is expected to find somewhat erotic content here.   Sorry folks   😀

It was not in my intention or tactics to attract the readers but my careless choice of the subjects.

(For instance, when I used the term [xxxx Do] it supposed to mean such as Kendo, Judo, etc.

in general. As I was not familiar with X-rated film kind, I was not aware — to other’s eyes, it can

be construed as “about Do XXX act” Ha ha ha, very funny. 😀 —– my ignorance but too late)

on

In 1987, when I heard very first news of the new disease from San Francisco which is now known

to be the AIDS,  I noticed that the sexual relation is no longer safe.

And it was the same time when my court case which related to a woman’s exploitation of

immigration loop-hole was started.

(A woman deported from here, fraudulently registered the marriage in Japan using my name

without my knowledge.   The woman admitted that she did it by an instruction of employer, though

the High Court Judge made it valid and granted her quick divorce for her to escape deportation to

Japan where the Police was alerted.  Naturally,  the case was brought up to the Court of Appeal.

Because of the case was too obvious fraud, the President of the High Court came out to suppress the

matter saying “no need to go into the evidence”—– since the evidence in the transcript says

“Marriage is Void” —– He couldn’t go into the EVIDENCE ) —– ( From this evidence, how

High Court Judge Dobly made the marriage valid, reflect the situation in the English justice)

I just gave up any relation.  Woman is nothing but the trouble.

So that the file in my brain to deal with woman was deleted.

The woman became just a part of a landscape, hence its sexual connotation disappeared.

Existence of Genitals doesn’t mean sex —– its sexual connotation is all in the mind.

( of which I’ve been calling  [ OBSESSION ] —– which can be erased )

non

Anyhow, court case consume a lots of time and a money. Especially in my case, to proceed it myself

as Litigant in Person (without Lawyer, while studying English Law overnight) was hard.

I was simply fallen into the situation,  not able to spare the time or money to a woman.

It was totally out of question.

On

Of cause the knowledge was still there and able to see or hear what woman says, though it doesn’t

connect to my EMOTION  hence the so-called female sexuality or their sex appeal stop to

appeal to my mind —– they became the matter of  foreign land or different universe.

A funny side effect (?) was, as the receptacle to read sexual context in my mind has been deleted,  I lost

a capability to see the innuendo or meaning of suggestive approach or its signal. (So that, in many

cases, after long time, I suddenly became aware “I see,  she wanted to sleep with me” 😀 )

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As a matter of fact, even myself was amazed to see the change of my own perception. And it

made me realize, this must be the condition of mind what the Zen Buddhism is talking about.

Then I gave a thought. Read the books I brought from Japan etc. etc. —– it was an epoch in my

quest to the Zen.   If the mind can be controlled in this way,  in reverse this must be the way to control

the mind in general. (If even a so-called imperative instinct could be negated and completely

disappeared, there can not be any difficulty to control the mind )

On

Since then somewhat strange 23 years past —– but, it seems it was seen by others even more strange.

Most of all, be in the Club every weekend, seemed to give an impossible puzzle to others.   😀

I was there to perfect my body movement (others call it dancing) nothing else. Though, even a

club owner, manager seemed not able to understand what is the purpose for.   As a matter of fact, I had

the indispensable opportunities to observe the Skinner Box of male-female behaviour ! ! !   😀

And seeing hundred of almost naked young girls shaking their ass every weekend for (just with the

Fridge Club in Brixton — almost 6 years) so many years, I’ve accumulated a collation of body shape, facial

expression and her dancing style and the character —– how to behave, and so on.

But never dance or even talk with them (and never drink alcohol) created funny myth —– such as,

I was the real owner or under-cover detective etc. —– The worst was mistaken as a gay (for their mind,

“if not interested in woman it must be a gay” then start sexual act straight on the spot, hugging from

behind or touch the body while wearing only kinky strings, etc. —– I respect their right to be a gay.

But I have exact the same right not to be sexually harassed by them —– do what you like but

don’t count me in) —– yet still, those facts enforced my view even stronger—-> not all the gay

person was born to be a gay, but became gay by their choice, its mean a drive came from

their thinking = mind-set can change even an inherent, imperative instinct.

non

To accumulate too much data makes a person insensitive. —– nothing would surprise nor excite.

And having so much data (about woman) made me too casual, or there is no romantic sanctuary left.

So that I might have lost the usual sense to handle the matter with kid gloves, hence I might be

giving an impression to have lots of sexual talk. (Certain extent, it is true 😀 —– when the subject

having no significance to place in the sanctuary, it became just one hilarious subject among the others)

Hence, I just have no boundary or prohibition.

non

And the reason why I created so many female nude figure was, simply it is easier. —– it is much

more cumbersome to make a dressed figure, using such as wire or metal panel. And if you put big

boobs it became female nude. In comparison, to show the male figure as male, needs to show more

complexed muscles etc. which is harder for the simple material. (Strangely, my Buddha stature has

no muscle, just the bones —– still nobody thought he is no other than Buddha    🙂 )

non

If you happen to be an unsuspecting,  misguided reader, who unfortunately end up here,

it was mainly caused by the Google’s key-word program —- they literally, pick up a word out of context.

Still, I hope, you had unexpected fun while reading this.     Ha ha ha 😀

non

WHAT —– ? ? ?

Posted in Awareness, Buddhism, Ethos, Fate / Providence, Karma, Mindfullness, Zen by yoshizen on May 20, 2011

The left photo here is —– can you believe, a broken

heat exchange to condensate the steam to water,

inside of the Hamaoka Nuclear plant (now its

operation is halted) in Japan.(photo from Exite News)

We may expect, a Nuclear plant was constructed by

shiny special alloy with ultimate precision.

Though, the fancy part is the inside of the Nuclear chamber

where the radio-active nuclear fuel rods are placed which

is heating up and boiling the water to make steam which in turn drive a turbine

and drive an electric generator —– so, the lest of the plant is just an ordinary electric power station

which could be built by any ordinary worker. —– really ? ? ?

The boiling water is directly contact with nuclear fuel, hence it is highly radio-active too.

And such radio-active water is circulating inside of the pipes you can see in the photo,

its mean nuclear radiation is not confined and sealed inside of chamber.

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Unexpected accident could happen in any unexpected manner.

The broken pipes on the photo was said to be caused by an iron cap only 5kg heavy dropped inside.

Of cause, no such simple mistake should be happened, though in realities

we are making unexpected silly mistakes everyday.

So, why that iron cap didn’t have a secure chain or why the pipes didn’t have protective grid etc.

All those short comings were emanated from the complacency and the mind-set to cut the cost.

(Though, the pipes looks like burnt by intense heat, not broke open by mechanical force —– ? ? ?

—– their explanation seems wrong—– What is the truth ? )

non

From the ever powerful Power Company, contract went to such as GE (having patent of the design)

then such as Toshiba or Hitach may built the plant though actual work was done by subcontractor

and sub-subcontractors —– who knows.   Those sub-sub-subcontractors may picked up a worker

who is saying know how to weld —– and the inspection was just a formality.

Then the heat-exchange for nuclear power plant went into operation.

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In the Japanese ethos, each profession / technician has their own pride called [Shokunin-konjyo]

(Craftsman’s ethos) which proud of their perfection and the quality of the work —– it’s exists even in

a forefront hi-tech industry, the eyes to find minute difference in the material or a work piece and

the minuscule adjustment which is almost invisible to the eyes ( in Buddhist’s term it is the mindfulness)

—– then realize supreme quality.

Though, it might be too much to ask to a worker of sub-sub-subcontractor picked up on the day.

Even a billion of billion yen project, as the profit was siphoned out ( in order to pay for the politician

and the licensing inspector) then the cost was squeezed by which only sub-sub-sub worker can accept

to work —– so that, no one can expect the quality and reliability of their work.

—– wait a moment, this is a part of dangerous Nuclear Power plant not a steam boiler to

heat a green house for vegetable.

Something went seriously wrong in Japan.

Japanese government keep refusing the research and assessment of the IAEA, WHO

and the Greenpeace in order to prevent the situation of the spread of radio-active

contamination become public, and the rest of the world to know —— I wonder, they could

be accused of the crime against the humanity.  Why not ? ? ?

non

PEACE in JAPAN —- Really ? ? ?

Japan is a strange country.   Among the developed countries, it is the most safe, prosperous

country.  Newborn babies’ mortality rate is the smallest in the world and live longest life.

In other words, it is the most peaceful place in the world. Never seen bloody conflict or

political economical insurgence, other than few Yakuza killings and very remote poison-gas attack

by the religious fanatics. —– Only exception is occasional natural disasters which is

killing handful people in each incidence.

—– so, some may say Japanese are spoiled by the peace.

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It seems, the previous post which I wrote how Japanese is overcoming the disaster by

ignoring the BAD NEWS, annoyed some people who was saying “ Don’t mix-up

the natural disaster to the man-made Nuclear Accident and the failure of the

response by the government.

I’m well aware of it. In fact I’ve been annoyed by the situation myself. At least, I was an

anti-establishment activist. —-but, we learned it in 60th, 70th how hopeless the situation is.

non

The expression in the west [Bang the head against a stone wall] would explain the

situation. —– And the rack of the political leadership, charismatic leader, nor championing

organization — hence no prospect of any change. ( You might be noticed, there is

virtually no anti-Nuclear demonstration in Japan except the one organized by the

musicians —– it was more like a family outing to cheer-up the depressed people

and politically gave no effect )

So that, there is very positive activities to help the disaster stricken people, but in the same

time deep hopeless mind-set toward the situation, especially the government or establishment.

This hopelessness and powerlessness toward the ever murky politics and the

situation of the Nuclear Plant made the people to feel —– it is no different from

unfortunate fate, like the one’s death which will inevitably comes.

(Remember, there was anti-Nuclear or anti-War demonstration, though I never seen

anti-death demonstration — of cause, there is no point at all though,

it is utterly unfair isn’t it. Why not ? 😀 )

—– This Japanese psyche has been exploited by the government, hence their one-party

dominance could continued 50 years.  (Then even after the power moved from Lib-Dem to

Democratic Party, unfortunately as they have been away from the system too long,

they don’t know how to govern the country —– and the system relying on the personal

expertise and the connection, it can not be replaced and changed easily)

Japanese politics is done by the negotiations between those in power and the backup person

and not open to public, not mention foreign journalists, the debate in the Parliament are

just a farce and the Minister is just a nominal figure (the facts and the data was held by

bureaucrats, hence Minister doesn’t necessary know the whole picture) —— even a head of

government change, those people who know the data and actually run the system is

still the same.   Mind you, the system there is economically second or third largest system

and the industrially as large as US. —– when the supply of components stopped from Japan

due to the disaster there, even the iPAD production in China halted.

non

Japanese ENIGMA — It’s the BUDDHISM

There are numerous report of the Japanese disaster which showed incredible calmness

and the orderly behaviour of the people who went trough unimaginable devastation of

their life.

AND the unbelievable calmness while hearing and facing the situation of their Nuclear plant’s

meltdown. —– as if even a meltdown didn’t make a news or no longer the issue.

non

Of cause there was a cunning manipulation of the media by the government and the establishment

whose interests are heavily entwined with those Power supply industry ( with their financial, political

mutual interdependency ) and the PR machine which organized the bent scientists who has been

creating smoke screen and the deception saying “ Nuclear is safe and clean “.

non

So when their Nuclear system break down and shown the leak of radio-active material, they kept

pretending it was just a minor trouble of electric power failure, hence nothing serious at all, and

try to patch-up behind the scene. —– though, as it has melted down just the next day of Tsunami,

the trouble couldn’t be solved easily—– meltdown is really serous trouble.

—– still, they managed to keep the people ignorant, then rose the accident level 5 to 7, a month

later —– waited until the people get used and become immune to a bad news.

Strangely you may think, even in this situation, there is no word of Meltdown in

the Power company’s official report. (Saying  ” I’m not good in English”  😀  😀  )

So that no longer Japanese believe the Company who is just dodging the word. 

( Then what can you believe —— nothing. —– neither knows what will happen ) 

non

Strangely, how serious the situation was, which was detected and assessed by the foreign experts

who saw the Nuclear accident in Three miles Plant US, and those report was appeared in the media

abroad, —– but they were ignored as a demagogue —– anything bad news were suppressed.

This attitude was taken not only the Japanese media but it was common among the people.

[ The most important issue is, to rebuilt the life and regain the normality.

Anything obstruct this has to be rejected and ignored]

———- Whether you can believe or not, you like or not, this is the Buddhism.

non

Buddha told that the life is suffering — and the death is in the end. Yet still, there is

the way to overcome those obstacles by the way to see the world and the life.

And the way to see it, is the Buddhism.

By this, the Enlightenment, we can get the Nirvana —– therefore, instead of wasting

the time worrying about those obstacles and the troubles, [Just get on the life. Just Do It]

Japanese are literally doing this.   ( Unlike in the west, no riot smash or burn down the

Company —– because they know such emotional act can’t solve the trouble at all)

non

Buddha ignored a question what is the structure of the universe or the soul is perpetual.

—– obviously because  [ They are unknowable and it doesn’t matter for us at all ]

non

Now we human being is at the brink of finding the fundamental of the existence by the experiment

of Atomic research —– sound interesting though, —– [ String theory ? ? ?] —– ?

Is it the matter to how many person in the world ? Is Parallel World (even if it’s existed)

anything matters to you ?

The more closer to us, all the fancy gadgets wouldn’t work and couldn’t be designed without the

calculations in the Quantum theory —– though, how many people in the world actually dealing

with this ?   Most of the people using the gadgets only knowing which switch is on-off.

We might be extinct because of the activities of the Sun or by an Asteroid etc. etc. who knows ?

Is it help us to know what could happen one day ? — other than interesting brain teaser.  😀

———- So that, Buddha rejected anything which exist only in the mind

and irrelevant to our dairy life —– defining they are just the delusions.

non

To the Japanese people, natural disaster —– when it’s comes what would happen are same as the

Asteroid or Solar Activities —– it may come but what can you do ?   Nothing.

If nothing, it is better not to bother. —– Worrying wouldn’t help anything (except to the

scientists who knows better and the engineer who design more reliable structure )

And for them, the trouble of the Nuclear Meltdown and its consequence came into the

same category. —– therefore, if it’s happens, it happens —– same as inevitable death,

there is no escape hence no point to argue. —– just resign.

(Anyhow, they can’t understand what is the Nuclear Reaction mean and radiation is

invisible.  It makes no different to Earthquake.  They just shut off the useless thinking )

And as the blockage removed ( worrying mind has gone) then,  just live the day in its best.

Do the best mean, do what you can, to the things on front of you.  Help others who is having more

difficulties.  Utilize something which remains —– improvise and be resourceful. etc.etc.

The matter is live there while making in its best. —– best mean not to do wrong —– they

don’t rob others, nor steal. Even don’t cry —– crying makes others even more depressed

—– it’s no good.  So, this is how and why they are seemingly behaving in such orderly way.

non

You must be realized, it is not enigma at all —– and realized, the control of ego and

emotions can be done by anybody. ( If you can not, it is because you are believing and

unconsciously wanting to cling your ego and the emotions.

—– it is your trouble of fundamental Mind-Set — you need to change the subconscious )

non

Play to the 25,000 victims of the disaster in Japan.

And the best wish to the recovery of the half million people who has been affected.

___/\___

Illusion of PERMANENCE

A decade or two ago, when we saw the dawn of digital photography, we were told

and believed that the digitized photo will be safe and permanent.

Unlike silver based photo image which is vulnerable to the chemical deterioration

etc. digitized information is the most reliable, solid archive of the recording.

—– Really  ? ? ?

non

After nearly three decade, the people who bought early CD music, started to notice

that their disc has been deteriorated and no longer playable due to the

ageing of the plastic material.

CD player just show you a sign [ No Disc ] or music became corrupt and repeat the

same passage again and again. —– The average life of CD is 20 years.

Considering the 100-year-old Wax-cylinder Gramophone Record still able to give the signals out,

I wonder what an advancement of technology was.

non

And I noticed, some photos saved in a USB flash memory has become [ Invalid ] —– ? ? ?

Data was just evaporated.  Since I have no idea what  image existed there.   I just give up.  Nothing I can do.

—– The data in the flash memory last 5 years.

non

HDD / Hard disc is notoriously fragile animal.  One drop would nullify hundreds of Giga byte of data instantly.

( Mechanical and electrical life span of HDD is about 5 years.    Therefore, you may need to copy the data

again to new HDD, before trouble occur )

It is absolutely true. Digitized image never changes and as it is the simplest form of the

information which consists only 1 and 0, it would be most reliable form.   Yes, Information is,

but not a media which recording or storing them.   Without a media, the data can not exists.

And the danger of electrical glitch which corrupt the data or OS could be always there.

The more you open the file, the more chance to have it.   The larger the HDD, having the more danger.

(Just imagine, a  2.5″  HDD disc on the photo having less than 5 square inch surface. —– Assuming, on there

30 Giga x 8 magnetized (and not magnetized) dot are aligned —– you know how small they are.

Picking up the data, whether each point was magnetized or not, from the disc which is rotating  5400 round

a minute —– it is an incredibly tricky business, even when everything worked perfect = soon or later,

something not perfect come to affect the over all function = you no longer able to read the data.  That’s it. )

A collection of Photos and Video images I had been accumulated in my old laptop which I have copied into

a USB flash memory to read in my new laptop was just disappeared all together.    4 Gb size of data has just gone.

The screen shows ” File is empty / 0 bite ” —– great !

( Later, I recovered the lost file in the  4Gb USB memory using [ Mini Tool Power Data Recovery, Free Edition

program ]  which I downloaded free —– saved about 15,000 files out of 20,000 though, all jumbled-up, without

caption or file name = you know,  How the situation is nightmarelish —– 😦   and   😀  )

non

In this situation and its hard reality, the internet data storage service was born —- though, like my experience,

one day its might just disappear.   Service might be withdrawn, even by human error,  or the file even the

site management itself could be hacked in, and the data could be lost.  The more important the data is, it would

be the more profitable for the hacker to steal it.  The Cloud computing may seem very convenient and

very very powerful though,  of cause,  such concentration of the data can be seen just as a huge

treasure trove,  and inevitably attract the organized cyber criminal.   Cynical irony is, even if the

data has been extremely highly encrypted, billion combination of code can easily  be deciphered

using even more computing power of the Cloud. —– Nothing is safe and permanent.

So that the wise mind-set is, —– accept its nature, it might be there, might not be there,

and live with which is remained to be there.

If the photo is there, use it.  If not there, it’s not there.   Never cling the idea  [It should be there ].

(Better keep the crucial data locked up as a print-out copy —– then how about a fire ?  😀 )

non

Your loved one might be there and smiling at you.

You enjoy it,  but might not be there any longer,  still not to be desperate.

You enjoy your precious memory. —– Live on what you got in your hand.

___/\___ Have a peaceful day.

PS: ( Photo above was taken by Canon 5D Mk-II with TSE 24 mm-L II — This is a pretty well made good lens )

DETACHMENT and Rule of only ONCE

This Blog started two years ago just by accident. Because of it started, it started.

Not with any specific reason or purpose. And as its number of the readers grow, in my honest

feeling, I felt a kind of pressure to continue.

In my mind, say in that blank space, there seems to be a designated receptacle for Blog theme.

Therefore, the topics good for this Blog has been saved and it has been actually wrote down to post here.

But, since the day this Blog disappeared from the Syber-space once, on that

moment I thought “It is the sign for me to move this Blog to independent site”, though,

the receptacle for the post or something to write about, has disappeared too.

non

Zen mind is , fundamentally detached from any purpose or aim, it is only there as a product

of needs of the moment and the situation.

When the moment has gone and the situation is no longer there, there can’t be any product.

This is the same reason of me to have [Rule of only ONCE] —– if any short coming has

taken place in a situation, it is the end.

The file dilated. Hence no file to refer, nothing to think or cling.

Any how from the beginning, there was no reason the existence of the file in the first place

—– it was only a product of the moment.

Clinging the same idea or thinking which no longer exists or has a reason to be there, is a delusion.

non

May be the purpose of me to write Blog and to expose the idea under the light had a function to

solidify the vague idea then rationalize it—– and its process was finished.

As a name, DIY Zen suggest, this is a report of one attempt to decipher the Zen mind. It didn’t

follow any traditional method or teaching of a sect.  Hence there is no established authority.

Nor me to sell the idea or to organize a group.  This Blog was only a sample to see, whether it

is useful to others or not.

non

There is a hilarious story of Zen monks.  On the practice of silence, a monk fed up and murmured

“What a hell” so that, another monk shouted  “Shut up, don’t you know what we are doing”—– the

third monk quietly said “I’m the only one still in silence”.

To write about “There is nothing to write about” —– Ha ha ha.

Yet, this is the funniest part of the DIY Zen Blog.

Since it is the live report of what is the Zen in practice, this is a real report from the front line.

As there is nothing to write about,  there is nothing —– how peaceful !  😀

—– may be now on, I have to write a topics which I’ve made a memo before.

___/\___

non

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