By Kaz
If you’ve ever visited a temple in Japan, you’ve probably walked right past a small sign by the entrance without thinking twice. It’s usually placed right where you take your shoes off. We have one here at Hakone Zendo too, a wooden sign brushed by Rev. Ito, set right on the ground where everyone takes off their shoes before coming in. It says 照顧脚下, shōko kyakka.
You don’t only see this sign at Zen temples. It shows up at all kinds of temples in Japan, and even at tea ceremony rooms. And most of the time, people read it pretty simply: watch your step. Take your shoes off, line them up neatly, and be careful where you’re walking.
That’s true. But the phrase actually comes from Zen, and there’s more to it than tidy shoes.
A lantern goes out
The saying goes back to an old story from Zen in China. A teacher and his students were walking together at night, carrying a lantern to light the way. Then the wind blew the lantern out, and suddenly they were standing in the dark.
The teacher turned to his students and asked, “What does this mean? Say something about this moment.”
The students had all kinds of answers. They shared deep philosophical thoughts and big ideas. But one student just said, “Watch your step.” In other words, look at what’s right under your feet.
And that’s true, right? When it’s dark and you can’t see the road ahead, the only thing you can really do is take care of the next step.
Being right here
So in Zen, shōko kyakka isn’t just about taking off your shoes or being careful on the floor. It’s about being here, in the present moment. That’s the heart of it.
It’s easy to get lost in our heads, thinking about where we’re going or what already happened, and forget where our feet actually are.
Your step, not someone else’s
There’s a second meaning here too, and I think it’s a really important one: watch your step, not somebody else’s.
I love Stoic philosophy, and I read a lot of it. One of my favorite Stoic ideas is called the dichotomy of control. It’s a simple idea: you can’t control other people, but you can control how you react to them.
Maybe you get an upsetting email at work. Maybe a friend, a family member, or a neighbor isn’t acting the way you want them to. You can’t control that. The only thing you can control is how you respond.
So this little sign is quietly reminding us: Hey, watch your step. Pay attention to what you can do, right where you are.
One breath at the door
Next time you come to the Zendo, I have a small suggestion. When you take your shoes off, look down at the sign. Take one breath. And make sure you’re watching your own step, and noticing where you’re standing today.
