Shoshin

The concept was taught in the thirteenth century by Dōgen Zenji, the founder of the Sōtō Zen school of Buddhism.{{rp|14}} Shoshin is discussed in his collected works, the Shōbōgenzō.{{Cite book |last=Dōgen |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/63205823 |title=Master Dogen's Shobogenzo Book 2 |date=1996 |publisher=Windbell Publications |isbn=1-4196-3820-3 |pages=103 |translator-last=Nishijima |translator-first=Gudo |oclc=141383090 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |translator-last2=Cross |translator-first2=Chodo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912022906/https://www.worldcat.org/title/63205823 |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |url-status=live}}{{Cite book |last=Dōgen |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/141383090 |title=Master Dogen's Shobogenzo Book 4 |date=1999 |publisher=Windbell Publications |isbn=1-4196-3821-1 |pages=31 |translator-last=Nishijima |translator-first=Gudo |oclc=141383090 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |translator-last2=Cross |translator-first2=Chodo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912022908/https://www.worldcat.org/title/141383090 |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |url-status=live}} Shoshin was popularized outside of Japan by the 1970 book Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryū Suzuki, a Zen teacher. Suzuki outlines the framework behind shoshin, noting that "in the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few"{{Cite book |last=Suzuki |first=Shunryū |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/136259 |title=Zen mind, beginner's mind |publisher=Weatherhill |year=1970 |isbn=0-8348-0079-9 |edition=First |location=New York |oclc=136259 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912022946/https://www.worldcat.org/title/136259 |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |url-status=live}}{{rp|21}} which has become a popular quote when discussing shoshin.

Shoshin wasuru bekarazu (or sometimes variously Shoshin wo wasuru bekarazu{{Cite book |last=Zeami |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EQVyBD7__74C&dq=Shoshin+wasuru+bekarazu+zeami&pg=PA467 |title=Zeami, performance notes |date=2008 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-13958-8 |location=New York |pages=467 |translator-last=Hare |translator-first=Tom |oclc=171613927 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912022911/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Zeami/EQVyBD7__74C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Shoshin+wasuru+bekarazu+zeami&pg=PA467&printsec=frontcover |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |url-status=live}}) is a Japanese proverb about shoshin coined by Japanese playwright Zeami in 1424.{{Cite web |title=A Mirror Held to the Flower (1424) |url=https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/play_analysis/zeami_motokiyo.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912022916/https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/play_analysis/zeami_motokiyo.htm |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=September 10, 2022 |website=University of Idaho}} The phrase is typically translated into English as some variation of "never forget the beginner's mind"{{Cite book |last=Shimabukuro |first=Masayuki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nSk_EAAAQBAJ |title=Karate As the Art of Killing A Study of Its Deadly Origins, Ideology of Peace, and the Techniques of Shito-Ry U. |date=2022 |publisher=North Atlantic Books |isbn=978-1-62317-662-4 |location=New York |pages=76 |oclc=1317333110 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912022925/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Karate_as_the_Art_of_Killing/nSk_EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |url-status=live}} or "never forget your original intent" and persists as a common proverb amongst practitioners of Budō and in Japanese business and entrepreneurship.{{Cite book |last=Shimazaki |first=H. T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mfl0DwAAQBAJ |title=Vision in Japanese Entrepreneurship : the Evolution of a Security Enterprise. |date=2018 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-429-78768-3 |location=Milton |oclc=1064824441 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912022920/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Vision_in_Japanese_Entrepreneurship/Mfl0DwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |url-status=live}} The concept of shoshin is seen in works such as the eighteenth century book Budôshoshinshû by Daidōji Yūzan, which is a collection of works about Bushidō and the warrior class in Tokugawa-period Japan.{{Cite web |title=Budôshoshinshû by Daidôji Yûzan |url=http://www.columbia.edu/~hds2/chushinguranew/Bushido/budo-shoshinshu.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716164712/http://www.columbia.edu/~hds2/chushinguranew/Bushido/budo-shoshinshu.htm |archive-date=July 16, 2017 |access-date=September 10, 2022 |website=Columbia University}} The word shoshin within the title refers to the concept of the beginner's mind.{{Cite book |last=Cleary |first=Thomas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UPfPAgAAQBAJ |title=Code of the Samurai : a Modern Translation of the Bushido Shoshinshu of Taira Shigesuke. |date=2011 |publisher=Tuttle Publishing |isbn=978-1-4629-0042-8 |location=New York |oclc=741492431 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912022944/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Code_of_the_Samurai/UPfPAgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |url-status=live}}

The concept of shoshin is used in the art of Japanese calligraphy in the context of Zen, where each stroke is made as though the calligrapher were a beginner to the art.{{rp|14}} In Japanese calligraphy shoshin is not an aesthetic choice, but rather a state of mind of the practitioner, one that addresses and counters the paradox within calligraphy where the more one practices, the more the quality of the calligraphy may suffer.{{Cite book |last=Davey |first=H. E. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IVbL90kN2DsC&q=shoshin |title=The Japanese way of the artist |date=2007 |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |isbn=978-1-61172-538-4 |location=Berkeley, CA |oclc=795120022 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912022947/https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Japanese_Way_of_the_Artist/IVbL90kN2DsC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=shoshin |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |url-status=live}}

Shoshin is described as the first of the states of mind or stages of Budō.{{Cite journal |last=Chiba |first=T.K. |date=1989 |title=Structure of Shu, Ha, Ri, and Penetration of Shoshin |url=http://www.aikidoonline.com/Archives/2001/mar/feat_0301_tkc.html |url-status=dead |journal=Sansho |volume=6 |issue=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030219063843/http://www.aikidoonline.com/Archives/2001/mar/feat_0301_tkc.html |archive-date=February 19, 2003 |access-date=September 11, 2022}} Shoshin (beginner's mind) is followed by Mushin (empty mind), Fudōshin (immovable mind), and Zanshin (remaining mind).{{Cite web |last=Sorkun |first=Murat Cihan |date=June 23, 2019 |title=States Of Mind In Budo: Shoshin, Mushin, Fudoshin, And Zanshin |url=https://www.eindhovenaikido.com/states-of-mind-in-budo-shosin-mushin-fudoshin-and-zanshin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028085536/https://www.eindhovenaikido.com/states-of-mind-in-budo-shosin-mushin-fudoshin-and-zanshin/ |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |access-date=September 11, 2022 |website=Eindhoven Aikido College}} A fifth state is sometimes also added as Senshin (enlightened mind).{{Cite web |last=Sanders |first=Bodhi |date=December 30, 2015 |title=Bushido – The Five Spirits of Budo |url=https://thewisdomwarrior.com/2015/12/30/bushido-the-five-spirits-of-budo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513025914/http://thewisdomwarrior.com/2015/12/30/bushido-the-five-spirits-of-budo/ |archive-date=May 13, 2016 |access-date=September 11, 2022 |website=TheWisdomWarrior.com}} In Budō the practitioner is advised to retain shoshin throughout their training and practice of the martial arts; it is not reserved only for those beginning to practice but is maintained even when reaching the higher levels of mastery. Shoshin-sha is a term used in martial arts to indicate a novice.

Shoshin is an influence on the Japanese Metabolism style of architecture, which incorporates concepts from Zen Buddhism and other Asian philosophical traditions into the architectural process and allows those concepts to help shape the design process.{{Cite book |last=Steele |first=James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6C0lDwAAQBAJ |title=Contemporary Japanese architecture : tracing the next generation |date=2017 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-138-94124-3 |location=London |pages=98 |oclc=956633931 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912023013/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Contemporary_Japanese_Architecture/6C0lDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |url-status=live}} Many businesses and people who work in the field of business have adopted or advocate for practicing the concept of shoshin in the business environment,{{Cite news |last=Wesolowski |first=Sébastien |date=November 30, 2021 |title=Shoshin and the power of being an eternal beginner in the workplace |work=Welcome to the Jungle |url=https://www.welcometothejungle.com/en/articles/shoshin-power-eternal-beginner |url-status=live |access-date=September 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202071600/https://www.welcometothejungle.com/en/articles/shoshin-power-eternal-beginner |archive-date=December 2, 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Jalona |first=Sanjay |title=How The Shoshin Approach To Business Can Spur Innovative Solutions |work=Chief Executive |url=https://chiefexecutive.net/shoshin-approach-business-can-spur-innovative-solutions/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016013854/https://chiefexecutive.net/shoshin-approach-business-can-spur-innovative-solutions/ |archive-date=October 16, 2021}}{{Cite news |last=McNeilly |first=Mark |date=May 1, 2013 |title=How Your Own Expertise Is Holding You Back |work=Fast Company |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3009020/how-your-own-expertise-is-holding-you-back |url-status=live |access-date=September 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118150319/https://www.fastcompany.com/3009020/how-your-own-expertise-is-holding-you-back |archive-date=January 18, 2021}} including top executives such as Apple Inc.'s founder and CEO Steve Jobs, and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff.{{Cite news |last=Linecker |first=Adelia Cellini |date=April 24, 2020 |title=Practice Beginner's Mind To Unlock Breakthrough Ideas |work=Investor's Business Daily |url=https://www.investors.com/news/management/leaders-and-success/beginners-mind-unlock-innovative-solutions/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405123009/https://www.investors.com/news/management/leaders-and-success/beginners-mind-unlock-innovative-solutions/ |archive-date=April 5, 2022}} It is also used or proposed as a way of general living{{Cite news |last=Balasubramanian |first=Saumya |date=February 2, 2019 |title=The art and charm of shoshin |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/the-art-and-charm-of-shoshin/article26162281.ece |url-status=live |access-date=September 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108040031/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/the-art-and-charm-of-shoshin/article26162281.ece |archive-date=November 8, 2020}} or a way to approach specific fields of life including social work,{{Cite journal |last=Soule |first=Jennifer |date=2014 |title=Beginner's Mind |url=https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/993 |url-status=live |journal=Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=50–55 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416104809/https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/993 |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2022}} medical care,{{Cite journal |last=Younie |first=Louise |date=November 2, 2017 |title=Beginner's mind |journal=London Journal of Primary Care |language=en |volume=9 |issue=6 |pages=83–85 |doi=10.1080/17571472.2017.1370768 |issn=1757-1472 |pmc=5694793 |pmid=29181090 }} teaching,{{Cite journal |last=Kochhar-Lindgren |first=Gary |date=2001 |title=Beginner's Mind: Opening the Open in the Classroom |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/26348 |journal=Pedagogy |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=410–415|doi=10.1215/15314200-1-2-410 |s2cid=144031049 |url-access=subscription }} computer programming,{{Cite book |last=Belshee |first=A. |title=Agile Development Conference (ADC'05) |chapter=Promiscuous pairing and beginner's mind: Embrace inexperience [agile programming] |date=2005 |chapter-url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/1609811 |url-status=live |location=Denver, CO, USA |publisher=IEEE Comput. Soc |pages=125–131 |doi=10.1109/ADC.2005.37 |isbn=978-0-7695-2487-0 |s2cid=1536146 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704055659/http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/1609811/ |archive-date=July 4, 2022 |access-date=September 12, 2022}} gardening,{{Cite news |last=Gander |first=Kashmira |date=April 8, 2019 |title=What Is the Shoshin Approach? Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Zen Gardening Post Prompts Mostly Positive Response—For a Change |work=Newsweek |url=https://www.newsweek.com/shoshin-approach-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-zen-gardening-post-1388516 |url-status=live |access-date=September 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121062731/https://www.newsweek.com/shoshin-approach-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-zen-gardening-post-1388516 |archive-date=November 21, 2020}} sports,{{Cite news |last=Whiting |first=Kate |date=October 30, 2019 |title=This Japanese concept will help you see the world – and learn – in a different way |work=World Economic Forum |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/10/japan-beginner-learning-shoshin/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608201419/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/10/japan-beginner-learning-shoshin |archive-date=June 8, 2022}} and dealing with chronic diseases such as phenylketonuria.{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Brian |date=February 25, 2021 |title=Shoshin and Phenylketonuria |url=https://phenylketonurianews.com/2021/02/25/shoshin-phenylketonuria/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026113544/https://phenylketonurianews.com/2021/02/25/shoshin-phenylketonuria/ |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |access-date=September 11, 2022 |website=Phenylketonuria News}}

• Kenshō
• Samyama
• Satori
• Curse of knowledge
• Beginner's luck

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Category:Japanese martial arts terminology

Category:Zen Buddhist philosophical concepts