Frequently Asked Questions About Zen Buddhism

Zen Buddhism is a complicated subject that is often followed by several questions. The main question that is asked is what is Zen? What is the spiritual and historical definition of Zen?

Zen is often the shortened word to describe Zen Buddhism which is sometimes called a religion and sometimes called a philosophy. Around 500 B.C, there was a prince named Siddhartha Gautama in what is now called India. He was very troubled by the suffering he saw around him so at the age of 29 he renounced his privileged life to seek understating of things. After 6 years of struggling he became enlightened at the age of 35 and was known as Buddha (meaning one who is awake). He realized everything is subject to change and discontentment and suffering were a result of these changes. By ridding oneself of attachments one can be free of suffering. He taught for forty years and died in India. Buddha teachings have been passed down from teacher to student. Around 475 A.D. one of the teachers, Bodhidharma, traveled from India to China to introduce the teachings of Buddha.

Zen appears in various areas in Buddha literature. The main questions surrounding Zen cut right to the point and can only be answered by one person. The main purpose of Zen is intuition. Why do Zen writings seem like nonsense? Questions can only be answered in a flash or intuition into the mind. Zen is the cultivation of non-cultivation, where one realizes enlightenment needs to be eliminated to feel re-enlightenment. Words and sentences have no logic or fixed meaning and only have meaning to those who are using them. Bodhidarma taught at the Lanka School the study of mind, in both its absolute and evolved nature. Early Zen has been associated with a sense of enlightenment instead of physical meditation. Around 1200 A.D. Buddhism spread from China to Japan and was called Zen Buddhism.

Meditation is another area of Zen Buddhism. What is meditation? Meditation is the contemplation of body within the principle of Buddhism. One Buddhist term for meditation is Bhavana which means promoting or attending. When the mind is pure, attending to the body mentally calms the mind down and makes things less violent. For one who wishes to become familiar with Buddhism the main question is how should a beginner begin their study of Zen Buddhism? If one is not familiar the language one cannot learn about the mysteries of the mind. One needs to know the Four Noble Truths and understand what they mean. The Four Noble Truths pertain to the nature of mind and how the mind clings to suffering or disharmony. Beginners should be familiar with the works of Buddhism called Tripitakas. As for the Zen itself beginners should read books about the teaching of Zen trying to avoid books that are on the modern teachings. In China, Zen literature was historically the most read published and read. Beginners should understand Zen Buddhism is one of the most direct teachings in Buddhism and in order to become a member one must want to become a member. Zen only looks for good people who are free of religious pride, intelligent, non-hating, compassionate and willing to learn.