Shodoka

Shodoka, Song of Awakening, Yoka Daishi

This is one of the four essential Zen texts. It was written by Yoka Daishi in the seventh century in China. It is a testimony to his awakening; his writing and spiritual approach is simple in style. The Shodoka has been nicknamed “the Mahayana sutra that solves all problems.” How can we awaken to life and death? Realizing our Buddha-nature, experiencing phenomena from the original source (ku, emptiness), creating one’s own life in accordance with Buddha-reality; all this is realizing the Way.