Zen Buddhism: What Is It?

Nathaniel839

What is Zen Buddhism? I barely know anything about this sect of Buddhism, so can anyone explain it to me?

genkaku

Ostensibly, Zen Buddhism is a branch of Buddhism that puts some emphasis on zazen or seated meditation. In temples, for example, the largest segment of time is given over to sitting on a cushion silently.

It sounds ridiculously simple ... and somewhat ridiculous. Those who have tried it may tell you "it works." But what they can't tell you is what "it" might be.

Whether it works or not is entirely up to you.

Other than that, the Great God Google and the dubious source Wikipedia may be your best bet.

Nathaniel839

Wow, simple answer and very helpful. Thanks man.

Cloud

@Nathaniel839, Try this site: http://zendoe.net/2011/09/25/what-is-zen/

Nathaniel839

Cloud, you always have very helpful sites. Once again, thanks man. :nyah:

how

Like most Buddhist schools in the real world, Zen Buddhism is actually pretty broad ranging from the devotional to the meditative, from Koan study to serene reflection meditation, from Sutra study to the arcane.
Most put some emphasis on the same forms of meditation that the Buddha claimed brought fruition to his understanding but I notice that all Buddhist schools make their own claims of what makes them particularly authentic.
There is not supposed to be a specific"IT" to the distillation of Zen because Zen meditation manifests as the letting go of all identity. Creating a Zen "IT" would just be another identity for the practitioner to cling to.
While most Zen schools do put some emphasis on sitting meditation, the purpose of the practise is to move that meditative manifestation into all aspect of life.

Nathaniel839

Like most Buddhist schools in the real world, Zen Buddhism is actually pretty broad ranging from the devotional to the meditative, from Koan study to serene reflection meditation, from Sutra study to the arcane.
Most put some emphasis on the same forms of meditation that the Buddha claimed brought fruition to his understanding but I notice that all Buddhist schools make their own claims of what makes them particularly authentic.
There is not supposed to be a specific"IT" to the distillation of Zen because Zen meditation manifests as the letting go of all identity. Creating a Zen "IT" would just be another identity for the practitioner to cling to.
While most Zen schools do put some emphasis on sitting meditation, the purpose of the practise is to move that meditative manifestation into all aspect of life.

Very informative and helpful. Thanks man.

zenff

Inner sincerity is Zen.
The way I see it, the practice of Zen is less concerned with dogmatic correctness and more with what is real for you here and now; less concerned with the truth according to the sutras and more with the truth for you right now.

Nathaniel839

So, from my understanding Zen is basically the practice of meditation and keeping your mind focused on the present moment? It sort of makes sense because I remember The Buddha quoted "Don't dwell on the past, don't dream of the future, but keep your mind focused on the present moment."

son_of_dhamma

Zen is Zen. It's nothing else.

This sounds simple and evasive, but actually its meaning is incredibly vast.
Read "Zen Buddhism" by D.T. Suzuki.
It will illuminate Zen as no other book can.

Cinorjer

Nathaniel839 said:

So, from my understanding Zen is basically the practice of meditation and keeping your mind focused on the present moment? It sort of makes sense because I remember The Buddha quoted "Don't dwell on the past, don't dream of the future, but keep your mind focused on the present moment."

Not necessarily. But you're close. Zen is using meditation to cultivate mindfulness, yes. Mindfulness is an important and necessary tool, because if you don't pay attention to what you're doing right now, how are you ever going to see what's happening?

But a bank robber can be mindful. If someone is pointing a gun at you, they are very mindful of what they're doing at that moment. So Zen Buddhism is not mindfulness.

Master Seung Sahn said Zen is very simple: What am I? Sitting zazen, quiet mind, koans, mindfulness practice, all are tools used to answer this one question. Then once you know what you are, you can be that, totally and completely.

So ask this question, and continue asking it. Meditate and ponder koans and be mindful of what you are doing this moment. Then ask youself, "What is it doing this?" and find the answer. That's Zen.