Fudoshin
不動心
An immovable mind that fear, anger or surprise cannot throw off balance. The concept comes from Buddhism.
Quick Facts
Word breakdown
Definition
Fudoshin (不動心) consists of the characters fu (not), do (to move) and shin (mind, heart), that is, “immovable mind.” It does not mean rigidity, but a mind that nothing pulls away from concentration. The fighter does not let fear, anger, doubt or surprise take control. The concept is connected with the Buddhist deity Fudo Myo-o, the “unshakable king of wisdom.” It was brought into budo by the Zen monk Takuan Soho in letters to the swordsman Yagyu Munenori, where he wrote about “unshakable wisdom” (fudochi). The concept is closely tied to mushin and zanshin.
Relations to other terms
See also
A state of mind that does not cling to a thought or emotion and therefore responds spontaneously. The concept comes from Zen, and the monk Takuan brought it into swordsmanship.
Zanshin残心Alertness that continues after a technique is finished, literally “remaining mind”. In kendo it is a condition for a valid ippon strike.