Zen Buddhism

Zen Buddhism was introduced to Japan in 7 AD. Its founder was an Indian monk called Bodhidhamma. The word Zen derived from Sanskrit word Dhyana (Jhana in Pali) meaning meditation or concentration.

Zen meditation is different from Theravada concept. Zen Buddhism says that anyone can do Zen meditation at anytime and anywhere. Their philosophy is direct experience of Enlightenment. Practice is a special tradition outside the scriptures. That is discovering the Buddha-nature in oneself and it cause to have potential to become a Buddha according their philosophy. It seems characterized very essence of Zen Buddhism. So, they are not concerned about studying Buddhist text.

Zen Buddhism was divided into two sects; 1, Rinsai Zen was founded by Eisai in 1141. It is descendant of southern school of Chan Buddhism and 2; Soto Zen was founded by Dogen in in 1200. It is descendant of northern School of Chan Buddhism. These Zen school reached to Japan during the Kamakura period. Out of these two. Soto Zen Became favourite of commo0n people but Rinsai Zen became the favourite of common people but Rinsai Zen Became the favourite of Samurai people. Upon the culture of Japanese people, Rinsai School has more influence than Soto Zen.

Rinsai said, for one who kills others, that you are not actually killing beings. Therefore, you are not meant that you kill being by killed by kilesa because kilesa is your own. This is how they interpreted. Because of seeing one’s own nature, Zen Buddhism very often denies dualism; two streams of life and death, good and evil, Nibbana and samsara. So, you do not incline towards life and death. Samurai people told that you have to go beyond these dual things and achieve the state of Mu-nen (no thought) Mu-shin (no mind). Therefore, avoiding two streams is what Zen Buddhism teaches.

Zen Buddhism influenced over Japanese people in terms of cultural life such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, Zen gardens, Haiku poem, calligraphy, painting and architecture, Bushido, Mashara kendo. One of contributions of Eisai is introduction of Tea. He is the first to introduce tea plants to popularize drinking tea in Japan. The tea ceremony is celebrated in a simple cottage or room where the entrance is very low. Therefore, anyone who enters the tearoom has to bend down one’s body, which represents the humble manner of Buddhism. During the tea ceremony, one can achieve the four things.

1, Harmony –with nature and oneself,

2, Reverence- it is to pay respect to one’s nature, surrounding and any object,

3, Purity- it is for one’s mind to be clam and quiet and

4, Tranquility- it is peace everything.

Flower arrangement is another culture originated in 15^th century AD. The idea is to create one’s own world based on one’s imagination. Zen garden of Zen Buddhist temple is very simple. it is strewn sand and pebbles. Every morning they sweep the compound. It denotes that everything is changing. Japanese painting is based on the Jataka stories and belief in Amitabha Buddha.

In conclusion, Zen Buddhism does not rely on any words scriptures and intellectual analysis of things. It is direct insight into true nature of things. Words (528) Ven.vilasa