"After Enlightenment, the laundry"

Written by John Paul Lama
Mar 15, 2009
Wisdom Fragment Interpreted within the Context of Karate: "After Enlightenment, the laundry." This is a Zen saying I learned in Advanced Metaphysics class. I can just imagine the scene that ended with this line. "Teacher," a monk asks. "What do I do after attaining Enlightenment?" "After Enlightenment," the teacher answers, "The laundry." But what does this line mean? More importantly, what does it mean within the context of karate? What this line means within the context of karate, specifically, in matters of achievements, can be articulated in three ways. First, just as attaining Enlightenment will not raise anyone into a position of tyranny and capriciousness, making an achievement will never raise anyone above and beyond cautionary exercise of authority. Having a blackbelt does not mean one has the right to go on a power trip. Having a medal does not mean one has the right to look down on others. Achievements will earn one respect, but will not place one on a throne or a pedestal. Second, just as attaining Enlightenment will not raise anyone into a position of neglect and indolence, making an achievement will never raise anyone above and beyond continuous and serious practice. Having a blackbelt does not mean one has the right to cut down on one's training. Having a medal does not mean one has the right to take it easy on one's training. Achievements are indicators of how much one has trained, not indicators of when one no longer has to train. Third, just as attaining Enlightenment will not raise anyone into a position of apathy and indifference, making an achievement will never raise anyone above and beyond committed service. Having a blackbelt does not mean one has the right to ignore one's responsibilities to the organization. Having a medal does not mean one has the right to be unconcerned with the affairs of the organization. Achievements give recognition to the achiever's organization, but it is the achiever's service that keeps the organization alive. Ultimately, this line urges one to make accomplishments without being conceited. Admittedly, that is easier said than done. It becomes easier, though, when one decides that in making accomplishments – Enlightenment, black belt, medals – it's not how the world reacts to him that he seeks to change, it's himself. ------------------- John Paul Lama is a Philosophy graduate student in Ateneo de Manila University. He is currently earning his MA degree and is scheduled to defend his thesis on summer 2009. He assists Sir Reiner de Leon in teaching the KDA Footworx Saturday class. He enjoys watching anime movies such as End of Evangelion, anime OAVs such as Ninja Resurrection, forensic shows such as "Dexter", and legal dramas like "The Practice". He also enjoys reading works by Friedrich Nietzsche and George Orwell.