FUKE ZEN

Fuke Zen, or Fuke-Shu, was an offshoot of the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen Buddhism during the nation’s feudal era from the 13^th century until the late 19^th century.  Philosophically it is rooted in the teachings of Puhua, an eccentric Zen master.  Puhua was reputedly a multi-talented monk known for being inventive while at the same time quite strict. 

Fuke monks, called komuso, could be seen playing the shakuhachi bamboo flute in what was called suizen or “blowing meditation.” Suizen was an innovation from the more usual zazen or “sitting meditation” of other Zen sects. When on pilgrimage Fuke monks played the flutes wearing a large woven basket hat that covered their entire head, emphasizing the incommunicable aspect of enlightenment.