Commentary on Hagakure
(by Shi Ming Zhen)
Much wisdom lies hidden by the leaves. We read the Hagakure as if we've entered an uncharted cave and find on the floor the scattered pages of an old and valued book; and then, as we explore the unfamiliar setting, to our delight we discover that the antique sheaves have concealed a cache of wisdom's treasures.
Wisdom is a universal gift. Knowledge and belief tend to be parochial favors; but wisdom is conferred ecumenically . However certain we are of this, we are still startled to encounter its presence in such an unexpected place - in a Buddhist monk's recollections of his days practicing the arts of war.
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