Abstract
The purpose of this study is to clarify what “learning one's own self” means for a person. This research is based on the literatures written about Masters of Budo, and Geido. Masters have maked a thorough learning by themselves. These literatures have introduced Mushin (the state of no thought, no mind) as the goal of Budo, and Geido. And, there is a close relationship between learning and Mushin. For example, we learn when we devote ourselves no matter what we learn.
The word “learning” seems to include two meanings of learning. One is to learn the person's own self. The other is to learn a piece of knowledge that exists in outside of the person. This study clarifies the former meaning of “learning”.
The materials used for this study are three books written about Masters of Budo, and Geido. The two are the writings about the stage of master swordsman (17th A.D.). The one is the Chinese old book of philosophy (4th - 3rd B.C.).
Mushin that “Heiho-kadensyo” insists on is to find what one really wants to do through watching oneself deeply enough. “Hudochishinmyoroku” insists that Mushin is to watch oneself deeply, and to decide how to act honestly. “Zhuangzi” insists on the existence of the order of the nature. “Zhuangzi” thinks that the world is just moving along the order of the nature. The order is neither fair nor unfair. So, “Zhuangzi” insists that when one thinks one's destiny is unfair, it is because one's affliction. “Zhuangzi” insists on the need to give up any affliction to live strongly, constructively. The process to give up any affliction is the process to be Mushin.
“Heiho-kadensyo” and “Hudochishinmyoroku” focus on the inside of a human being. “Zhuangzi” focuses on the outside of a human being. Both of them explain the process of learning one's own self. This process needs to overcome the hardship and to watch oneself deeper than known already. The meaning of “learning one's own self” is to know who oneself is, to think about it, and to decide one's way to live.
