Zen is a teaching about full awareness of the nature of reality, about enlightenment. It is believed that this variety of Buddhism was brought to China by the Indian monk Bodhidharma, and from there it spread to Japan, Korea and Vietnam, and in the 19th and 20th centuries to the West. Bodhidharma himself defined Zen Buddhism as “a direct transition to awakened consciousness, bypassing tradition and sacred texts.”
It is believed that the truth of Zen lives within each of us. You just need to look inside and find it there, without resorting to outside help. Zen practice stops all mental activity by concentrating your thoughts on what you are doing in the present moment, here and now.
How to practice?
All mindfulness practices are extremely simple. The challenge is to change our habits. Actually, the practice of mindfulness is aimed at changing habits. First of all, replace the habit of being unconscious with the habit of being conscious.
As the experience of many generations of meditators since the time of Gautama Buddha shows, incorporating the practice into everyday life is not very easy.
So what helped them, the generations?
Regardless of the school and direction, for any Buddhist there are 3 main pillars in life and practice. Traditionally they are called the three jewels , or the three refuges , but for me they are still the three pillars . I consider them simply useful and am not going to keep them in an armored safe, taking them out from time to time to admire them, muttering under my breath: “My precious, my precious.” I’m also not interested in them as ways to escape and hide from the world. I use them as a three-legged meditation stool, that's all.
So, the three pillars are:
Sitting meditation
Meditation is working with your own mind.
The main advantage is that awareness is trained. Mindfulness can be used in any other activity. When a basketball player trains, he trains the skill of throwing the ball into the basket. And this skill only applies to basketball.
Mindfulness is a universal skill. It will also serve you when you are communicating with another person, playing basketball or flying an airliner.
The method of sitting meditation is very simple. But you get the effect in proportion to your concentration in practice. That is, what you put into practice is what you will get.
Buddha, Dharma and Sangha
Like all other words in human languages, these too can be interpreted in very different ways. I'll tell you how I understand them.
DHARMA is the Buddhist teaching in all its theoretical and practical totality. Judging by the sutras, the Buddha did not separate theory and practice - both are equally important on the path. Practice is as important as the feet with which we walk, theory is as important as the head to understand where we are actually going. I want to warn you right away that I was breastfed by Theravada with supplements from the dairy cuisine of Zen, so my sources are predominantly drawn from these traditions.
SANGHA is a community of like-minded people. These are people walking the same or similar paths who can support each other in word and deed.
Since Buddha, in fact, is always with us, there is nothing to say about him, but I will dwell on the Dharma and Sangha in more detail.
Yes, you can!
The Rinzai school is a Japanese lineage of the Chinese Lingzhi school, which was founded during the Tang Dynasty by Lingzhi Yixuan. The Rinzai school emphasizes kensho, understanding one's true nature. Then comes the so-called post-satori practice, or further practice to achieve Buddhahood. Although dhyana strictly refers to the four dhyanas in Chinese Buddhism, dhyana can refer to various types of meditation techniques and preparatory practices that are necessary for the practice of dhyana. The five main types of meditation in the Dhyana sutras are: anapanasmriti (mindfulness of breathing); pathikulamanasikar meditation (mindfulness of body impurities); Maitri (loving-kindness) meditation; contemplation of the twelve connections of pratisamutpada; and contemplation of Buddha. According to modern master Chan Sheng Yang, these practices are called the “five methods of stilling or stilling the mind” and are intended to ground and clear the mind and promote the development of the stages of dhyana. Chan also shares the practice of the four foundations of mindfulness and the Three Gates of Liberation (emptiness or shunyata, absence of attributes or animita, and absence of desires or aprasih) with early Buddhism and classical Mahayana.
Philosophy of Buddhism
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The Buddhist faith, as one of the foundations of life's worldview, brings with it the light of understanding and attracts the attention of an increasing number of adherents every year. In this religious teaching, supporters try to find knowledge about people, about their own capabilities and about the world. Thus, the doctrine tells people about themselves and therefore arouses such interest in itself, exciting the human mind. You can learn about the doctrine of consciousness, the doctrine of suffering in Buddhism, its foundations, the concept of doctrine, the history of its appearance, its features and more in this article.
Zen - what is it?
Buddhism has several key principles, such as faith, self-determination, and respect for nature. Most Buddhist schools have a general understanding of what Zen energy is. They believe that it is revealed in such aspects as:
Zen Buddhism is the most important school of East Asian Buddhism, the formation of which was completed in China in the 5th-6th centuries. In his homeland, as well as in Vietnam and Korea, it remains the most popular monastic form of religion to this day. Daen Buddhism is an ever-changing belief that has three branches:
- “ Intellectual Zen”
is a philosophy of life that has moved as far as possible from religion and has become popular among artists, philosophers and scientists. - Psychedelic Zen
is a teaching that involves using drugs to expand the boundaries of consciousness. - The beatnik movement
is known among young people due to its simplified rules that promote moral and sexual freedom.
Briefly about the teaching
Zen Buddhism is a symbiosis of Chinese and Indian beliefs, multiplied by the Japanese tradition. It contains the following elements:
- Jingtu (Pure Land Buddhism);
- Madhyamakas and Mahasanghikas;
- Tendai, Shingon and Kegon (Japanese teachings).
Despite the mixture of styles and different schools, Bodhidharma's teaching has its own differences. This religious movement is characterized by a “light” attitude towards sacred texts. Constant practice comes first, which is why it is so popular, unlike other beliefs.
The central essence of the teaching is the comprehension of satori
. It is characterized by the following features:
- irrationality, inexplicability;
- intuitive feeling of nature around;
- a feeling of delight, euphoria as a consequence of the realization of something elusive;
- brevity and suddenness.
How is Zen Buddhism different from Budjima?
The desire to achieve Zen means a willingness to sacrifice oneself on the path to it - for example, to show meekness and humility in front of a teacher. Zen Buddhism insists on adherence to a system of rules by the student, when the classical direction does not require any worship and testing in the name of religion. Zen is similar to a technique that is suitable for people who do not want to spend a lot of time on the religious component of the teaching.
In Russian, I would recommend the following books about the practice of mindfulness and Buddhism:
The last book, in addition to practical recommendations, is also good because from it you can see that there is no single “right” way. Even within the Theravada tradition we can find a range of options, each of which is suitable for one person and not for another.
I also recently learned that Stephen Batchelor’s into Russian. I read it in English and can’t say anything about the translation. But the name proposed is “politically correct.” Original title: Confession of a Buddhist Atheist in this translation sounds like What is Buddhism? How to Live According to the Buddha's Principles
That is, an intriguing, paradoxical and ambiguous name was turned into a bland phrase about nothing. Apparently, the publishers were afraid that the Russian reader would not have access to the British sense of humor. I'm outraged, in general!
Stephen Batchelor is one of the main drivers of Secular Buddhism, and the book is at the same time his autobiography, and his version of the life of Gautama Buddha, and an exposition of his views on Buddhism. So read it if you're interested. Perhaps, having killed the title, the publishers still kept the content alive.
Finally, a classic of all times:
These books have served as a gateway to the Dharma for thousands of people, including me.
Books about the Practice of Mindfulness without Buddhism or with minimal admixtures of it:
There are, of course, a huge amount of resources on the international web in English.
Here are a few of my favorite teachers, organizations and their websites.:
- The Association of Secular Buddhists is a community of people who practice Buddhism as a way of improving and healing immediate and concrete life in “This World”, without really caring about the “Next World”.
- Buddhist geeks . The main question they raise is how Buddhist practice can help us live in a modern technological world, and conversely, how modern technology can help develop our practice.
- Martin and Stephen Batchelor are the main drivers and ideologists of Secular Buddhism.
- Shinzen Yang is a meditation teacher with extensive experience in both meditation and teaching, combining various approaches from Buddhism and science.
- Rick Henson is a psychologist, neuroscientist and Buddhist.
- Dharma Seed . – There are a lot of audio recordings of conversations of Buddhist teachers of various traditions.
- DIY Dharma sangha is a community of freaks, geeks, weirdos, people of all kinds of “wrong” orientations, rebels, outcasts, vagabonds and their friends who meditate together on a Buddhist platform.
- The Interdependence Project is another large secular-Buddhist project, there are a lot of materials, podcasts, etc.
- The Order of Zen Peacemakers , which was founded by one of the important teachers for me - Bernie Glassman Roshi.
- Upaya Zen Center founded by the famous Joan Halifax Roshi. You can listen to many interesting podcasts on the site.
So we quietly approached the third Jewel , or the Leg of the Stool .
Practice
In a practical sense, Zen is meditation, immersion in a special state of contemplation. A variety of tools can be used for this - everything is determined by the practice of each individual person, so rather non-standard ways to achieve enlightenment are often used. This could be the sharp shouts of the teacher, his laughter or blows with a stick, martial arts classes and physical labor.
According to Zen teaching, the best practice is monotonous work, which should be done not for the sake of achieving some final result, but for the sake of the work itself.
A clear example of this approach is given in one of the legends about the famous Zen master, who defined washing dishes in ordinary life as the desire to make them clean, and the same action in a philosophical understanding as self-sufficient, inviting students to wash dishes only for the sake of the action itself.
Another important philosophical practice is the koan. This is the name of a logical exercise for solving a paradoxical or absurd problem. It cannot be comprehended by the “ordinary” (unawakened) mind, but after spending enough time contemplating it, you can one day catch a feeling of understanding, that is, achieve the desired state instantly, in one moment, most often unexpectedly - without any background to it.
For example, one of the classic koans is to look for “one-palm clap,” that is, “silent sound.”
Where and with whom to practice
“My mind is like a dangerous area. I try not to go there alone.”
—Anne Lamott
If you know English and have money and time, then you probably already have some of the best karma possible. But karma does not stand still - there is always room for improvement. The best way to improve it is to increase your awareness. The way to increase awareness is to practice it. And the fastest and most effective way to master the practice is to undergo an intensive retreat.
Zen stories
A feature of any Zen religious movement is the non-recognition of the possibility of transmitting knowledge in written form. Only an enlightened or awakened guru can teach how to understand the world. And he can do this in different ways, including hitting you with a stick. In Japan, classical martial arts (budo) and Zen practice came into contact with each other after the adoption of Rinzai Zen by the Hojo clan in the 13th century, who applied the discipline to their martial practice. One of the influential figures in this relationship was the Rinzai priest Takuan Soho, who was well known for his works on Zen and Budo intended for the samurai class (especially his “Free Mind”). The Rinzai school also adopts some Taoist energy practices. They were introduced by Hakuin (1686-1769), who learned various techniques from a hermit named Hakuyu, who helped Hakuin cure his “Zen disease.” (condition and physical mental exhaustion). These energy practices, known as naikan, are based on focusing the mind and one's life energy (ki) on the tanden (the point just below the navel).
Concept of Buddhist philosophy
Buddhism is a philosophical and religious teaching, a world belief that points to the personality of the sage as an enlightened person and affects his revolutionary approach to the relationship between the Lord and man in comparison with the religious system that existed at that time.
It is worth noting that Buddhist teaching is concentrated on the human point of view, that is, the main provisions of religion. In which, in particular in its current trend, it is said that a person himself must be responsible for his own destiny, and not only in this existence, but also in all subsequent incarnations of the unforgettable soul.
The history of the emergence of Buddhism is interesting. It is believed that Siddhartha Gautama is the first person who was able to immerse himself in nirvana. After which, going to the city near Benares Sarnath, the enlightened one surrounded himself with five monks, who in turn became his first disciples and outlined his instructions to them. The sermon itself contained a summary of four thoughts that formed the basis of his teaching. This kind of “symbol of belief” came to be called “arya satya”, that is, sublime truths. The news of the new prophet began to spread quite quickly throughout India.
The ideas he expressed turned out to be very attractive. According to the colorful legend, the prophetic path of the sage was a victorious procession, especially during the period when he was able to convert the famous recluse and prophet Kashyapa, as well as his 600 followers, to his faith. It is noteworthy that even a large number of popular Brahmins deviated from their own creed, becoming preachers of Buddhist teachings. However, the prophet still had a larger number of followers in the Vaishyas, Varnas and Kshatriyas.
Zen Buddhism - Basic Ideas
The depth and power of this teaching is amazing, especially if a person is just beginning to become acquainted with it. It is not possible to fully understand what Zen means if we deny the fact that emptiness is the real essence and goal of enlightenment. This teaching is based on the nature of the mind, which cannot be expressed in words, but can be realized. Its main principles:
- By nature, every person is equal to the Buddha and he can discover the enlightening basis within himself.
- The state of satori can only be achieved through complete peace.
- Receiving a response from your Buddha, who is inside a person.
Koans are short instructive stories or dialogues similar to the suras of the Koran. They reveal the essence of the questions that arise for both beginners and experienced religious followers. Zen koans were created with the goal of giving a psychological boost to the student and motivating him. The value of each of these stories is revealed in his decision:
Meditation is a special psycho-physical state of a person, which is easiest to achieve in an atmosphere of deepest silence and concentration. In Buddhist monasteries there was no need for preliminary preparation for immersion in it, because community members initially protected themselves from all temptations. The monks, answering the question of what Zen meditation is, say that it is a feeling of pure consciousness without content. You can achieve it by performing the following sequence of actions:
- First you need to sit on the floor, facing the wall, placing a pillow or a blanket folded in several layers under your buttocks. Its thickness should not prevent you from taking a comfortable, stable position. Clothes for meditation should be loose so as not to restrict movement.
- For a comfortable fit, it is recommended to take a full lotus or half lotus position.
- You should close your eyes and abstract yourself from problems and thoughts.
- When emptiness replaces mental noise, a feeling of incomparable relaxation and contentment will appear.
Anyone who wants to find an answer to a question that interests him turns to this eastern technique, usually in despair. He seeks to experience Zen after exhausting simple solutions to the dilemma. For some, this process is a kind of fast with abstinence from food, relationships with the opposite sex and active work. Most Buddhists adhere to more traditional ways of realizing the subtle matter of Zen:
What is the mechanism of Zen?
Human knowledge comes through his perception, which is influenced by all the false attitudes that lie within him. This essence of human nature forms a kind of vicious circle in understanding any problem: “I want to understand what the problem is, but all my understanding is subject to the influence of the perception of this problem on me.” Thus, it turns out that awareness of the problem is impossible!
Breaking through the ossified perception of a problem by the mind is the task of psychologists and Zen Buddhism meditation.
As mentioned earlier, Zen meditation is a kind of turning off the flow of thoughts of the mind. You could even say that Zen is also about reducing the power of experiences. A simple mechanism works: “If I don’t think about this experience, then it doesn’t affect me.” From here the chain is broken: “I want to understand what kind of experience I am having, and I understand this without the influence of the experience on me.” In Zen, a person observes the world outside of his perception of this world!
