Shared by Ann
Photo of our han with rev Ito in 2019
Have you ever noticed the han (hanging wood board) that is suspended near the entrance of the our zendo? When we begin our zazen, we strike this han with a mallet. Ann provided some insights into the significance of the han and the meaning behind the words inscribed on it.
Our Han
Life and death matter 生死事大 （しょうじじだい）
Silent and quick 無常迅速 （むじょうじんそく）
Light and shade is precious 光陰可惜 （こういんおしむべし）
Time can’t wait 時不待人 （ときひとをまたず）
(Google translation of Hakone Zendo’s Han from Japanese to English)
Middle Way Zen’s Han (Soto zendo Ann leads)
Wake up
Life is transient, swiftly passing
Be aware of the Great Matter
Don’t waste time
From Rinzai website
(Link to translation) (Same Kanji as our han. Translated into English)
Life and death are of utmost importance
Time should be cherished
Impermanence is swift
Time waits for no one
Ann shard the meaning of the words written on the “han” a board struck before the start of zazen.
This morning, I reflected on the “han,” the board struck before zazen begins at our zendo. It signifies gathering, but ideally, we’re already present.
The inscription intrigued me, leading me to explore its meaning beyond the literal translation. A lengthy Google Doc explanation felt overwhelming, obscuring the essence.
Our han simply says, “Wake up. Life is transient, swiftly passing. Be aware of the great matter and don’t waste time.” This resonates deeply with me – it’s about the preciousness of each moment.
Rev. Ito’s inscription, translated, reads: “Life and death matter. Silent and quick. Light and shade, sometimes shadow. Is precious. Time cannot wait.” It reinforces that this fleeting moment is all we have. Over-analyzing is futile; it’s already gone.
“Wake up” means being truly present, not rushing. I once got so caught up in weekend bliss that I forgot about work. Both realities exist, but it’s in the moments we miss that we appreciate the present.
Ultimately, the meaning of the inscription lies in what it evokes within you. It’s about your personal understanding, not the words themselves.
Hakone Zendo 