Shippei

A shippei (竹箆, 竹篦) is a bamboo staff which curves slightly, approximately 15 inches[1][lower-alpha 1] (or half a metre[3]) long, which is used as a "symbol of a Zen master's authority" in Zen Buddhism.[4] In contrast to the keisaku, the shippei was often used as a disciplinary measure for meditating monks. It can often be found at the side of a Zen master in a zendo and is also "one of seven items that make up a Zen monk's equipment."[3] It is fashioned out of two pieces of bamboo that are shaped into the form of a spatula[2] (or short bow[1]), wound with rattan,[1] and lacquered.[2][lower-alpha 2]

Sometimes curved in the shape of an S, the shippei may be elaborately decorated with a silk cord or have carvings. It is still "sometimes employed to hit monks."[6]

See also

Explanatory notes

  1. ↑ In Japanese measures it is given as 1 shaku 5 sun,[2] or 15 sun, which is approximately 15 inches.
  2. ↑ Although some sources state it is bound with wisteria vine,[4][5] sources in Japanese such as Iwanami dictionary state it is tō (籐, "rattan")[2] and not fuji (藤, "wisteria") although these two characters are easily confounded.

References

Citations
  1. 1 2 3 Senzaki (2008), p. 185.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Iwanami Kōjien (広辞苑) Japanese dictionary, 4th Edition (1991), DVD version
  3. 1 2 Koun, 205-206
  4. 1 2 Baroni, 300
  5. ↑ Hakuin, Ekaku (2010) [1999]. Wild Ivy: The Spiritual Autobiography of Zen Master Hakuin. Norman Waddell (tr.). Shambhala Publications. p. 126, n15. ISBN 0834823195.
  6. ↑ Hori, 701-702
Bibliography

  • Baroni, Helen J. (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Zen Buddhism. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. ISBN 0-8239-2240-5.
  • Hori, Victor Sōgen (2003). Zen Sand: The Book of Capping Phrases for Kōan Practice. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0-8248-2284-6.
  • Senzaki, Nyogen (2008). The Gateless Gate: The Classic Book of Zen Koans. Wisdom Publications. p. 185. ISBN 0861715594.
  • Yamada, Koun (2004). The Gateless Gate: The Classic Book of Zen Koans. Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-382-6.
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