Eastern Philosopher Murasaki Shikibu Dear,

Eastern Philosopher Murasaki Shikibu Dear, It is with great joy that I address you today. Your questions and excitement about this study are refreshing, and I look forward to discussing ideas with you more fully when next we meet. For now, let's focus on the idea of right mind. For me, the idea of right mind has a very unique meaning. As one of the earliest thinkers of Zen Buddhism in Japan, contemplating about right-mindedness is a challenging opportunity for me.

This is because the Zen Buddhism's way to achieving this is contextualized in our Japanese culture and its patriarchal society in the late 10th-11th centuries. Zen Buddhist philosophy in the midst of this kind of culture and society has therefore taken on a new dimension, and this new dimension I shall discuss to you in parts so that you will not get confused, my dear student. Let's start with Zen Buddhism, and its role in enabling the individual achieve the right mind one seeks in life.

Zen Buddhism is characterized as a complex combination of different religions that have influenced Japanese culture and society through the years: Mahayana Buddhism, Shintoism, and even Confucianism. Zen Buddhism is the product of this mix of religions, but ultimately, it also seeks to achieve moral excellence as Mahayana Buddhism. I am sure, dear student, that since you have heard so much about me before approaching me, that you have also heard of my unique recipe to achieving a right mind the Zen Buddhism way.

To familiarize you again on this unique recipe, I am giving you the ingredient needed: 1 cup Shinto animism 4 Buddhist Noble Truths 1 yin 1 yang 1 handful Confucian virtues 1 Mahayana Buddhist doctrine of the void 1 lifetime of spiritual enlightenment Mix all the ingredients well with a strong, feminist hand. Contemplate for a lifetime with as much detachment from worldly distractions as possible. (Become a nun if you can). Use as an antidote misogynist elements of Tendai. With lifelong use, women may achieve salvation.

Interesting, isn't it? That's how complex Zen Buddhism came into fruition. As one of the early philosophers that helped develop the philosophical tenets of Zen thinking, you can see from the unique recipe that the philosophy I believe in a multitude of elements unique to each religion. Take, as an example, how the natural harmony of all living organisms in Shintoism is "rightfully mixed" with the natural order of yin and yang. How the Noble Truths can be achieved through the Confucian virtues.

Of course, please note especially the last ingredient, a lifetime of spiritual enlightenment, and the cooking instructions, which required all these ingredients to be mixed by a "strong, feminist hand." The recipe ultimately allows individuals, particularly women, to achieve salvation.

If you've read books on Eastern philosophy and religions, you would note that in Japan, the history of Zen Buddhism is inextricably linked also with the eventual "salvation" of women in the society, and I am proud to say that my philosophical writings have helped serve as a catalyst, not only in developing Zen philosophy, but also in promoting women's equality, be this equality socio-political in nature, or in terms of salvation. Zen philosophy promoted right-mindedness in people because it paved the way for progressive thinking.

That is, Zen philosophy opened people's minds that salvation can be achieved not on one philosophy or religion alone, but can be actually achieved through morally excellent lifestyle. Moreover, salvation in Zen philosophy is not exclusive to a particular group or some individuals, but can actually be achieved by anyone, as long as he or she subsists to the right path to living as explicated in Zen philosophy, or simply by leading a life of moral excellence.

This means that by living in harmony not only with other people, but with nature as well, and subscribing to a virtuous life,.