Great Master Bankei
Japanese Zen Master 1622-93
Bankei taught that we all have the Unborn Buddha Mind, which we don`t have to obtain, because we were born with it. All we have to do is to realise its presence. A blind man who had known Bankei once told a friend: I have to judge a person`s character by the sound of his voice. Often, when I hear someone congratulate another about his happiness or success, I detect a tone of envy. When condolence is expressed, I hear pleasure and satisfaction at another`s difficulty. However, in all my experience, Bankei`s voice was always sincere. When he expressed happiness, I heard nothing but happiness, and when he expressed sorrow, sorrow was all I heard.
Bankei taught that the Unborn was not mysterious or remote, but here and now, functioning and alive, marvellously illuminating and smoothly managing everything. Like a dog barking in the background it is easy to ignore, but nevertheless waiting for us to connect with it.
In a day and age when women were generally regarded as inferior to men, Bankei taught that they are in every way equal to them and just as able to recognise the presence of the Unborn Buddha Mind and realise Buddhahood.

By Tony Weedon.

from Now And Zen - January 2000