Dec. 6 Friday Academic Reflective Thoughts: Even Monkeys Fall from Trees (猿も木から落ちる)

Living a rich life forged from experience, reflection, and action does not exempt one from getting lost or making mistakes. Even Zen masters, saints, and sages have moments of faltering. This is not evidence of a lack of wisdom or enlightenment but rather a testament to their shared humanity. The notion of presenting oneself as infallible—a pseudo-perfect being—invites scepticism. Authenticity is rooted in imperfection, and it is within our shared human frailty that true wisdom emerges, connecting us all in our journey.

Consider the lives of significant figures such as Jesus, Socrates, and Buddha. Jesus expressed anger in the temple, Socrates willingly drank the hemlock, and Buddha’s death, or parinirvana (全果平穏), highlights the human condition even in the context of enlightenment. According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha accepted an offering of food that had inadvertently been tainted. Despite recognising its harmful effects, he consumed it out of compassion for the giver. Knowing his death was imminent, he continued to teach his disciples, reminding them to seek their paths to enlightenment. This act was not one of error but of profound teaching and reflection on impermanence.

In Japanese, the adage “Even monkeys fall from trees” (猿も木から落ちる) reminds us that even those most adept at their craft or environment will occasionally falter. This adage is a metaphor for the inevitability of imperfection, regardless of one's expertise or familiarity with a situation. For monkeys, masters of tree-dwelling, a fall may happen due to fatigue, distraction, illness, or a misjudged branch. These reasons illustrate that expertise does not equate to infallibility; rather, it underscores the inevitability of imperfection.

The Journey of Enlightenment
Far from attaining a static state, the enlightened soul continues on an infinite journey of becoming. To “be” at deeper levels requires daily diligence and consistency. Enlightenment is not an escape from the human condition but an immersion within it. Life’s inevitable moments of tragedy, love, illness, and joy have the power to unbalance us. It is precisely in these moments of imbalance that the depth of enlightenment is revealed, inspiring us to grow and evolve.

The genuinely enlightened individual does not seek to live above or outside the world. Instead, they embrace their interconnectedness with it. They are touched, shaped, and pressured by life’s circumstances but ultimately become one with them. To separate oneself from the world, as in the life of a solitary monk, may be an appropriate path for some. However, this detachment can hinder the journey toward true liberation (解脱 or moksha) for many. Life is not to be avoided but fully engaged with, as the path to enlightenment is one of integration rather than isolation.

The Balance Between 術 and 道
As a martial arts teacher, I find the distinction between 術 (jutsu) and 道 (dō) particularly illuminating. Often misunderstood or misappropriated, these concepts represent two sides of the same coin. 術, often translated as “technique,” focuses on practical application and survival. Its ultimate goal is to “not be there”—to evade, adapt, and overcome without being caught. In contrast, 道, translated as “the way,” seeks complete presence, a state of being so immersed that one transcends the concept of self. The balance between these two concepts mirrors the human journey: the need to adapt to the immediate while striving for the transcendent.

For example, in judo (終道), the practitioner strives to merge technical skill with the philosophy of harmony and flow. Similarly, in kendo (劍道), the mastery of swordsmanship evolves into a quest for self-mastery. The interplay between 術 and 道 mirrors the human journey: the need to adapt to the immediate while striving for the transcendent.

Embracing the JourneyWhile the ideal might be to seamlessly embody both “not being there” and “being so there that you are no longer there,” this remains a distant goal for many of us. Acknowledging this gap is not a failure but an acceptance of the ongoing nature of the journey. As the saying goes, “The journey is half the fun.”

Daily diligence and reflection are necessary companions on this path. Through our moments of being lost, of falling from the tree, we gain insights into ourselves and the world around us. These moments are not setbacks but opportunities to grow, to reconnect with the 道, and to refine our understanding of life’s 術.

Ultimately, to live as a human is to embrace the paradoxes and imperfections that define us. Enlightenment is not about achieving a state of flawlessness but about continually striving to harmonise with life’s ebbs and flows. In doing so, we remain authentic, grounded, and profoundly human.

Having fallen from the tree recently. I now begin the slow climb back up!

経験、反省、行動から築かれた豊かな人生を送っていても、迷いや過ちから免れることはありません。禅僧や聖人でさえも失敗する瞬間があります。それは悟りや知恵の欠如を示すものではなく、人間性の証です。「猿も木から落ちる」（猿も木から落ちる）という諺が示すように、熟練者でも時折失敗します。悟りとは完璧を目指すことではなく、不完全さを受け入れ、人生の流れと調和する努力を続けることなのです。

as for those who can read and decipher I offer this:
静かなる
明かり子守る
秋の道​

---