Zen Buddhism is a straightforward and practical teaching,
which when properly understood and practiced,
is demonstrably capable of liberating man
from his deep-seated fears and anxieties so he can
live and die with peace and dignity.
--Philip Kapleau, Roshi--
Zen Buddhism
According to the teachings of Bodhidharma, the founder of the
Zen sect of Buddhism, Zen is defined as:
- a special transmission outside the scriptures
- not relying on words and letters
- pointing directly to Mind
- seeing self-nature and attaining Buddhahood.
Zen is a sect of Mahayana Buddhism, established as a teaching
in the west after centuries of development in India, China, Vietnam,
Korea, and Japan.
The Japanese word "Zen" means meditation or Mind; the
word "Buddha" means awakened. Zen Buddhism is then the
meditation practice of awakening to one's True-mind or Original-mind.
"Awakening" or "enlightenment" is to see things
as they are, which is to transcend the delusive notion of a discrete,
enduring, separate ego or self and realize the "interbeing"
that has always been there--being one with all that is.
When we realize through awakening that we have nothing fundamentally
to gain or to lose, we can gradually relinquish the need to grasp
and cling, as well as the fear and hostility that accompany this
need.
