Zen Buddhism

Zen Buddhism

A great emphasis is placed on meditation to help a person awaken to a pure seeing of the true nature of everything. Zen Buddhists think enlightenment is a far-reaching goal but can be gained through Satori (meditation in moments of insight). While other schools of Buddhism place almost all learning from reading and contemplating ancient texts, Zen practitioners learn from the individual practice of understanding one's true nature.

Zen is a branch of Mahayana school. There are 2 forms of Zen practice: Rinzai and Soto. Rinzai tries to break through everyday thinking by using something called koans.

Koans are what many people know as riddles in the form of questions. These questions make no sense logically. The goal is to achieve sudden and pure awareness or Satori.

Zen Buddhism

Soto Zen takes a slower approach to enlightenment through sitting meditations called Za-zen. Sometimes koans are used to help achieve awareness.

Zen is the school of Buddhism that has the most emphasis on long, intensive periods of meditation. This is one reason many people may find practicing Zen Buddhism is so difficult.

Zen can be a very rewarding and fulfilling practice despite the difficulty.

Transmission of Zen Teachings

Zen is a form of Mahayana (the Great Vehicle) Buddhism, (first in China and later in Japan).

It focuses on the experience of enlightenment.

The word “zen” means meditation and the “Zen” tradition traces its origins to the Buddha himself.

Transmission of Zen Teachings

For centuries, Zen has had a major influence on the religious and cultural life of the people of those lands.

From India, Zen spread first to China and then to Japan, where two sects of Zen are most prominent.

Cont.

Rinzai and Soto are the two sects of Japanese Zen.

Zen was first brought to Japan with lasting impact by two masters who had spent some years living in China.

Cont.

The Zen master Eisai brought the Rinzai and the other primary sect of Zen in Japan was brought by Dogen, which is Soto.

The Rinzai sect emphasizes sudden awakening, whereas the Soto sect emphasizes gradual awakening.

Zen Teachings

Zen is the direct experience of truth, which is beyond the reach of thoughts and feelings about truth, and beyond the words used to express thoughts and feelings.

Zen emphasizes experience over speculation.

Its insights cannot be expressed in words and is beyond logical thinking, which clutters the mind and prevents pure insight into the truth.

Zen enlightenment is called satori (a flash of insight in which the true nature of one’s being in known directly).

Zen Teachings

Koans are an important tool in Zen training, which are puzzles that are designed to short-circuit the workings of the logical, rational mind and leads to direct insight into reality.

Zen is often seen as a negative and world-denying religion, but its adherents find that to be untrue.

Zen helps one attain a healthy, vigorous mind and it sees the everyday world as relevant, and cultivates full attention to that world

Zen focuses on the here and now.

Zen Life

Zen prescribes a monastic lifestyle that is designed in every way to move the disciple closer to enlightenment.

Zazen, seated meditation, consumes most of the monks’ time, but menial work is also an essential part of monastic life.

The Zen master (roshi) has almost complete authority over the disciple.

Accounts of physical discipline abound: slapping disciples’ faces, twisting their noses, pushing them to the ground.

Zen Life

The authority and physical discipline involved in the master-discipline relationship might appear strange to Western eyes.

However, like all aspects of Zen, they are intended to help bring about enlightenment.

What may appear from the outside eye as unkindness, Zen intends as a nurturing concern.

Zen Life

The practice of Zen does not require one to become a monk or nun; it can be performed outside the monastery.

Zen fosters a natural impulse to alleviate suffering by working to correct social injustices.

Zen has had a significant influence on East Asian cultural arts, such as painting, landscaping, flower arranging, swordplay, and archery.

Also, Haiku is a well-known poetic form that exemplifies Zen’s influence on literature.

Study Guide Terms to know:

Zen tradition/focusDefine Zen and its

meaningCh’an and Hui-

neng’sSoto sectZen’s emphasisSatoriKoansWomen and Zen

lifeZen and social

justiceZen Buddhism

developments

Rinzai and ZenZen and

enlightenmentRinzai ZenSumieZen practicesD.T. SuzukiRoshisZazenDokusan

Ch. 7, 8, 9 Group Project (2-3 students):

Zen Buddhism Project: Research and Discuss the 4 Ideas behind Zen

Buddhism: (Chart) A. Transmission of Zen Teachings B.

Zen Teachings C. Zen Life D. Zen social justice and developments Compare and contrast the religions of Eastern Asia. (Confucianism, Taoism, and Zen Buddhism)

Compare and contrast with words, pictures, and symbols on poster paper.

One page=Compare religions.Separate page= Contrast religions.Make sure to identify the religions with words,

sentences, and symbols.