Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘A modern Western concept of self emerges out of a sense of reifying the individual. This individual has rights. Implicit in the concept of rights is the notion of the discrete self that is inherently valuable. I describe the Japanese concept of self as relational or explicitly contextualized. That is, there is no self that is even conventionally isolatable from the people around oneself. For example, one is the daughter or son of a particular mother and father, perhaps a niece or nephew, older sister, younger brother, teacher of, student of, class-mate of, from a particular town or region, etc. In this relational concept of self, power is understood to take many forms. Ideally, different people take on specific responsibilities in a cultural context where each role is valued because of respect for each niche that is required for harmony of the whole. Concepts and uses of power differ when one begins with an individual versus a relational concept of self. With an individualistic concept of self, the expectation of equality is that each person receives the same amount and type of power. With equality as a goal, differences in power can be the source of tension between people. With a relational concept of self, however, even when there are tensions between people, differences in type and amount of power are expected. This does not mean, however, that oppression is validated. On the contrary, respect for the whole relational network necessitates that respect be accorded to all.’ (Women and Dogen: Rituals Actualizing Empowerment and Healing)