Wearing juzu: An Experiment

Mala or juzu are not a major part of daily Zen practice but are part of Zen Buddhist practice in other ways. In the United States, many practitioners have or use mala for different purposes, I hesitated about them but recently purchased juzu for myself after talking to my teacher and to other practitioners. There are several reasons I chose to have juzu and to wear them. First, they remind me to practice even when I am not sitting. They also call to mind both the Heart Sutra and the Genjokoan for me. I hope they will remind me in those moments when I am particularly irritated and frustrated to return to practice.

I chose a formal set with 108 beads and in the Zen Soto style with a metal ring. The 108 beads remind me of the Heart Sutra for various reasons and are based on the 108 defilements or obstacles to be overcome. These are computed by the permutations of experience. Experiences can be pleasant, unpleasant or neutral (3) x based in the (6) senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing, thinking x (2) characterized by aversion or desire x and occur in (3) time periods: past, present, future = 108 possibilities. For me, the 108 obstacles are reminders of the endless permutations of human existence and their emptiness. I am thus reminded that the existence of the 108 obstacles is the emptiness of 108 obstacles and the state of constant fluctuation and interdependence as well as the equivalence and non-equivalence of form and emptiness. Thus, there is duality and non-duality.

Choosing a Soto style reminds me of where I started my practice. I hope wearing them will remind me to be responsive, not reactive, present, mindful and correct acting. I also find they remind me of the four Bodhisattva vows. Also, as someone who came to Buddhism later in life, they represent in an outward way for me taking refuge rather than using Zen practice as an adjunct to other religious paths. They can also be a sign to others and a starting point to conversation. I've heard from others who wear them that they often start conversations. I'll see how they work out.

Update on August 1, 2011 at 11:24 by Jason A. Smith

I had one commenter on another post indicate that the metal ring on Soto juzu represents the ringing of the bells at the new year. At new year, temple bells are rung 108 times.