Chan Staff

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Nicholas Weeks
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Chan Staff

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Not sure if this staff is unique to Chan or even if it is used anymore, but interesting symbolism to it:

http://www.cttbearthstore.org/dharma-instrument.html
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Kim O'Hara
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Re: Chan Staff

Post by Kim O'Hara »

I know it as the staff Jizo carries - https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... C00176.JPG - but Wikipedia says - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khakkhara - its history goes back to India, which means it predates Chan or any of the East Asian schools.

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Invokingvajras
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Re: Chan Staff

Post by Invokingvajras »

Pardon my sudden change of topic, but...

Eighteen possessions?

I was only aware of eight.
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SilenceMonkey
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Re: Chan Staff

Post by SilenceMonkey »

Most depictions of Xuanzang usually have a very similar staff.
passel
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Re: Chan Staff

Post by passel »

Nicholas Weeks wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2018 9:56 pm Not sure if this staff is unique to Chan or even if it is used anymore, but interesting symbolism to it:

http://www.cttbearthstore.org/dharma-instrument.html
They have one at Great Vow in Oregon, they bring it out for Jizo ceremonies.
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Mantrik
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Re: Chan Staff

Post by Mantrik »

Nicholas Weeks wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2018 9:56 pm Not sure if this staff is unique to Chan or even if it is used anymore, but interesting symbolism to it:

http://www.cttbearthstore.org/dharma-instrument.html
The jingles at the top are numbered according to specific aspects of practice such as 4NT, and the more jingles there are, the more senior the person using it.
The jingles and sharp point were originally for pilgrimages and the noise was to scare away wild animals annd also to let people know to have offerings ready for the pilgrims. This is what a friend told me and seems to accord with the description in the link.

I have a very simple staff top with just 4 jingles, but can't be described as a pilgrim! In Japan called something like 'shakkujo'.

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Grigoris
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Re: Chan Staff

Post by Grigoris »

I have seen the same type of staff (jingles and all) used by Hindu ascetics, so maybe the origin is Indian?
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Könchok Thrinley
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Re: Chan Staff

Post by Könchok Thrinley »

Grigoris wrote: Sat Feb 02, 2019 11:39 am I have seen the same type of staff (jingles and all) used by Hindu ascetics, so maybe the origin is Indian?
I'd say it is definetly indian. I think Shariputra and Ananda are often depicted having those even on Tibetan thangkas.

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Re: Chan Staff

Post by Meido »

Still common in Japan, as both a pilgrim's staff and (on a short handle) shaken during some chanting/ritual. Used in various schools, not just Chan/Zen.

The "Nine Verses of the Shakujo" is a famous chanted text. A bit here from the late Ven. Keisho Leary:

http://vkleary.blogspot.com/2007/12/ver ... akujo.html

Here's the entire 9. It's a nice text to chant:

http://www.quietmountain.org/dharmacent ... hakujo.htm
Matylda
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Re: Chan Staff

Post by Matylda »

In Japanese it is called shakujo. It is carried by senior monks during takuhatsu in soto monasteries who walk in the end of line. Indeed it is used in different schools in different way.
In fact it has Indian origin.
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Re: Chan Staff

Post by Sentient Light »

It's a pretty ingenious tool, depending on how loud it is, or the timbre of the tone. Sounds like a good way to keep bears away when hiking, I should add noisy rings to my poles.
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PeterC
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Re: Chan Staff

Post by PeterC »

Per one of my teachers, it's still one of the objects that can be bestowed in the full Bikkhu ordination in Mahasamghika (along with bowl, robes, etc.). I will have to ask him for the vinaya reference - I can't remember it offhand.
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