Zen in the mirror of reality
The origin of Zen is attributed to Bodhidharma, a historical figure who - around the year 500 AD - is said to have spent 9 years in silence “facing the rock wall of a cave that's about a mile from the Shaolin Temple. Thus he won the title "the wall-gazing brahmin".
Obviously, this legend cannot be taken literally, nevertheless - being adopted in Zen literature throughout history - it seems to convey a message about the spirit of Zen. The implication of this metaphoric “wall gazing” may characterise a tendency for departure from the reality of life. It also points to a tendency for focusing the mind on mental abstraction. In today’s society, we regard ‘wall gazing’ as - perhaps - a ‘mental excessiveness‘. To imply that this method would have led someone in the past to ‘Enlightenment of Self’ seems unreasonable and inconsistent. Many individuals and groups aspire for the ‘enlightenment of self’ through their interaction and behaviour in relationships, but not though a silent process in which the mind is closed on itself.
Zen tendency for abstraction is also manifested by the practice of koans (or self-enquiry puzzles), which in various cases require dwelling on imaginary constructs (such as “what is the sound of one hand clapping? Is it soundless sound?”) - or other Q/A form of enquiry. A sample of three such koans will be examined further, questioning the essence of Zen values and goals. Master D.T. Suzuki, explains in his book “Introduction to Zen Buddhism” that Zen goal is centered on one’s-self: “The ultimate destination of Satori is toward the self”. page 93.
Contrary to all Buddhist traditions, Zen Buddhism is based on the rejection of the sutras, or - in general - of teachings that are recorded in writing or conveyed through voice. Transmission of Zen Buddhism ‘through silence‘ is a concept which was described by master Dogen and criticised by his contemporary Buddhist reformer Nichiren, who questioned the wisdom of rejecting recorded Buddhist teaching which aspire for the process of enlightenment. Zen rejection of sutras, however, is starting to change in some of its branches. An example of this direction provides Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh whose various lectures are based on the Lotus Sutra.
Main differing concepts: SGI Buddhism Zen Buddhism
Practice: Chanting the Dharma Silent meditation and solving koans
Object of Devotion: Mandala Gohonzon Buddha image, (or Unspecified):
What is Buddha: Enlightened being. Buddha is a “dried piece of shit”
as described in koan case 21
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