What is Zen Buddhism: definition, basic ideas, essence, rules, principles, philosophy, meditation, features. Zen: What religion does it belong to? What does it mean to know Zen, Zen's condition, inner Zen? What is the difference between Zen Buddhism and Buddhism: difference, difference

This article describes the basic rules, principles and philosophy of Zen Buddhism.

There are many directions of various religions. Each of them has its own schools and founders, teachers and traditions. One of these teachings is Zen. What is its essence and what characteristic features? Look for an answer to this and other questions in the article.

Zen Teaching: What is the direction of religious philosophy?

Zen is an inaccurate name for religion, which has undergone changes today, and this is not quite a religion. At first, this philosophy was called Zen. Translated from Japanese Zen means: 禅; Sanskr. ध्यान dhyana, whale. 禪 Chan. This word translates as "Think correctly", "Focus internally on something".

The doctrine of Zen is the orientation of religious philosophy from the Buddha. It follows the legacy of Mahayana, which was born in the Middle Kingdom and after that they learned about him throughout the Far East (Vietnam, Korea, Japan). But followers believe that Zen is a philosophy of Japanese Buddhism, which was brought to this country from China in the twelfth century.

What is Zen Buddhism: definition, basic ideas, essence, rules, principles, philosophy

After the 12th century, the traditions of Japanese and Chinese Zen found their place in life separately from each other, but until today they have retained unity and gained their characteristics. Japanese Zen is taught in several schools - Rinjai (Kit. Linji), Soto (Kit. Tsaodun) and Obaku (Kit. Huangbo).

• The word Zen is his roots in the Sanskrit-Pali era "Dhyana/Jhana".
• The Chinese used to pronounce Zen as Chan.
• The Japanese pronounced the correctly “Zen”, so the name and sound of this word has come to this day.
• Now Zen is a popular philosophy and practice of Buddhist.
• This philosophy is taught in azen schools. There is also a different official name for this religion - “The Heart of the Buddha” or “Buddha’s mind”. Both options are considered correct.

The main ideas and essence of the doctrine of Zen are as follows:

• It is impossible to learn Zen. Teachers suggest only the paths thanks to which the follower can achieve enlightenment.
• It is worth noting that the masters of this religion do not use in their vocabulary to "achieve enlightenment". It will be right: "See and see your own" I ", To change yourself for the better.
• It is impossible to indicate one path for everyone, since each person is individual - With their ideas about life positions, experience and living conditions. A person must find his entrance without replacing consciousness with a special implementation of practical classes or following ideas.
• The human language, images and words are meaningless.With their help, it is impossible to achieve insight. This condition will become accessible thanks to traditional Zen-methodical instructions and even irritants from the outside-a sharp scream, a strong impact and so on.

The principles of Zen Buddhism are four truths:

1. Life is suffering. When a person understands this, he will perceive everything for granted. People are imperfect and the world is not perfect. If you want to achieve Zen, then this must be accepted. Buddha recognized and accepted it. He realized that a person during his life has to survive a lot: suffering, illness, deprivation, unpleasant situations, grief, pain.

The following 3 truths are in desires:

1. The desire for attachment. Buddha argued that the main cause of a psycho -emotional disorder is an attachment to his desires. If we can’t get something, then life is not sweet to us. But do not get angry and annoy because of this, you need to accept.
2. End of suffering. If you get rid of attachment to desires and free yourself from torment, then the mind will be cleansed of anxiety and anxiety. This spiritual state in Sanskrit is called nirvana.
3. Passing the path to the end of suffering. Nirvana is simply achieved if you lead a measured life. Follow the octagonal path, which is self -improvement in your desires.

The teacher must see his nature in order to teach this his students. In addition, he must see the real state of the student. Only in this way, the master will be able to give the correct advice and instructions to the push of awakening.

The philosophy of Zen Buddhism It consists of the doctrine of three poisons. It is because of them that all troubles, torment and error appear in a person’s life. This evil should include the following:

• Man does not understand his nature - The mind is muddy, there is a constant restless internal state and even stupidity is manifested.
• There is an aversion to specific situations, things -The presentation of something, as an independent evil, harsh views on life.
• Exorient affection -To something pleasant, tenacious for unnecessary things in this life.

Therefore, the rules of Zen Buddhism say:

• Calm your mind. Be calmer, do not be nervous in trifles, so that life proceeds peacefully and harmoniously.
• Freeze from hard views. Understand that an evil man creates with his own hands. If we look at life differently, then everything around us will change.
• Free yourself from attachment. Understand that a little good, otherwise life will lose taste and bright colors. There should be no inseparable thirst for pleasant. All good in moderation.

Different tips are given to students, but such that they are understandable to a specific person. For example:

• Do meditation to pacify and calm your mind. At the same time, try and follow all the advice of the teacher.
• Do not try to achieve peace and enlightenment, but release everything that happens around you.

The followers of Zen practice are engaged in meditation in the sitting position and do a simple job. It can be the cultivation of some crops in the mountains or ordinary cleaning. The main goal is to calm your mind and combine thoughts. Then the self -bolt, the clouding of the mind disappears (the Masters of Zen believe that modern people have a restless mind) and a restless state is stabilized. After enlightenment, it is easier to see your natural essence.

Japanese and Chinese Zen: Is this the same thing?

Japanese and Chinese Zen is one and the same, but with its characteristic distinctive features.

Chan-Buddhism-the Chinese so call Zen religion. Many followers at the beginning of their journey cannot understand Chan Buddhism. It seems that this is something unattainable, irrational and even mystical. But Zen's insight is endowed with universal characteristic features.

The influence of Zen on the cultural heritage of Japan It makes us recognize this school important and relevant in the study of the ideas of Zen Buddhism. It helps to reveal the ways of development of philosophy and thought.

Psychological aspects, psychotherapy of Zen Buddhism: Practice

To achieve Satori, a person should not sit just under a tree of bo and wait for condescension, enlightenment. Special relationships with the master are built and a specific system of procedures is carried out. Therefore, psychological aspects and psychotherapy of Zen Buddhism are important in order to free the personality for spiritual development.

• Many psychologists use the foundations of Zen Buddhism in their practice.
• The psychologist who is inspired by Zen’s ideas and familiar with them firsthand.
• People are difficult by nature. Someone has obsessive ideas to avenge another person, the other seeks to get into the future faster or, conversely, worries about what can happen, and the third is absorbed in their past.
• A person can repeat the actions that cause troubles to him, but on the subconscious and in words, he wants to break out of this circle.

Zen psychology shows that all these addictions and fixations interfere with living and experiencing the present. A real and correct Zen-Put will lead to enlightenment and proper awareness of a person.

Zen Buddhism as philosophy and art of life: Examples

The main goal of Zen Buddhism is the achievement of enlightenment or Satori. For Europeans, such a philosophy and the art of life as Zen are something unattainable. But in this teaching there is nothing supernatural. These are ordinary skills that are honed with Zen masters to perfection.

Here are examples of such an art of life:

The mentor talks with his student:

- Are you affirming in truth?
- Yes, master.
- What are you doing for your upbringing?
“I eat when I am hungry and go to bed when I am tired.”
“But everyone does this.” It turns out that you do not bring yourself up, but do you live like all people?
- Not.
- Why?
- Because when eating food, they are not engaged in food, but distracted for conversations and other extraneous objects; When they rest, they do not plunge into a dream at all, but see a lot of dreams and even experience emotions in a dream. Therefore, they are not like me.

Explaining this example, we can say that ordinary people experience constant fear and mixed feelings of self-doubt, and also live in a non-real, but illusion world. People think that they taste and feel something, and do not really experience all emotions.

Another example of Zen philosophy is revealed by another parable:

The master of this teaching tells about himself: “When I had not yet known Zen, the rivers were rivers for me, and mountains were mountains. With the first knowledge of Zen, the river ceased to be rivers, and mountains - mountains. When I completely comprehended the teaching and became a teacher myself, the rivers again became rivers, and mountains became mountains. ".

This is evidence that after enlightenment is that here and now it begins to be perceived differently. We take shadows for plausible things, and being at this time in the dark, it is impossible to know the light. For Zen, it is important that a person learns himself from the inside, and not his mind. Zen must penetrate into the depths of the human soul and its being.

What does it mean to know Zen, Zen's condition, inner Zen?

Among people you can hear: "Knowed Zen". What does it mean to know Zen, Zen's condition, inner Zen? It means: "Status of constant meditation" and "Absolute calm mind". But if a person talks about it and even claims that he knows what Zen is, then he lives deceived. To find out the essence of Zen is given only to elected people and the teachings of this philosophy are built so that a person will not talk about himself in such a vein.

The state of Zen is calm from the inside, a bright mind and soul. Zen inside a person is equanimity. A person who knew Zen cannot be removed from balance. In addition, he can independently help his opponent find inner calm.

How to achieve a state of Zen?

The entrance to the Zen state is not a game at all. The follower focuses on his ordinary life position. To achieve the state of Zen, everything should be around in accordance.

• Harmonicity in everything is the most important thing.
• You are sure and know that you can achieve this.
• All problems around are disappearing, special energy fills the world around us. Something perfect appears, helping to solve problems.
• Your skill corresponds to the tasks - Everything turns out harmoniously. In people who are familiar with sports, such a moment is called "to be in the zone." In science, such a process is called a “stream”.
• You must feel like in a dream. Time and consciousness are lost in the “stream”. You seem to dissolve in everything around. It is easier for a child to enter a state of Zen, adults are more difficult. They understand the definition of time. But it is more difficult for a little person with his unstable psyche to break back into speed, so for a child the state of Zen can be dangerous.

When you plunge into a zen state, you will understand that you do not need to plan anything. It is the habit of planning different plans that “strangle” creativity in each of us. There is nothing more awakening and tonic than to be in the “stream” specially created by his mind “zone” or “white moment”.

What is Zen Meditation?

Zen Meditation is a meditative technique of relaxation from the Buddha. She is the most popular technique in the world is the heart of Buddhist teaching. The advantages of Zen Meditation should include the following:

• Training in good concentration
• The possibility of self -knowledge
• Getting calm and joy
• Improving health
• The appearance of willpower
• Increased internal energy

Warning: If you do everything right, then an emotional storm will happen inside you. This condition can be observed after a few days or weeks of practice. Your suppressed emotions will rise up - to consciousness. At this moment, it is important not to fight them, but to give the opportunity to splash out. After that, peace, clarity of mind and joy will come.

Zen Meditation Technique:

There are two main Zen meditation techniques: intermediate and expanded:

Advice: Do not try to realize the secret of Zen artificially. Do not get hung up on inspiration and exhale. The most important thing will happen between these processes: the secrets of the universe will be revealed, you will know yourself and so on. Just properly meditate and everything will happen naturally.

What is the difference between Zen Buddhism and Buddhism: difference, difference, features

Regarding the understanding of Zen Buddhism, it is worth noting that if you try to understand, it will not be Zen Buddhism. A person must comprehend reality in how it is. If we talk about the differences between Zen Buddhism from Buddhism, then there is no difference, since such practice is Buddhism. All practices of Buddhism are divided into:

• Samathhi - Calming of the mind and body, understanding of peace and tranquility.
• Vipasana - allows you to observe the appearance of the phenomena of the mind. A person reveals something new for himself in feelings, thoughts, emotions.

All the practices of Buddhism help the mind get rid of suffering, free themselves from the wrong eyes, and cultivate the right worldview. Just Zen helps to acquire important elements of proper thinking and lifestyle, eliminating the destruction of the mind. No need to follow the rules, it is important to understand the world order. In Buddhist practice there are no rules, assumptions, hypotheses. If a person learns to comprehend Zen, then he will get rid of errors and will live in calm and peace.

Symbols of Zen Buddhism and their meaning: photo

In Buddhism, as in Zen Buddhism there are many different symbols. But in Zen it is considered the most important and significant Enso - The circle of enlightenment and freedom. Such a symbol of Zen Buddhism is made in the form of tattoos, painted on the walls of houses, especially in China and Japan, and the interiors are decorated with an image.

Enso means enlightenment, strength, elegance, void, universe. The circle itself is continuous karmic degenerations, and internally space is a sign of liberation from the life of the burdens.

This symbol can be depicted with a lotus flower inside, as evidence that a person has become whiter, more magnificent and inseparable from nature - peaceful and calm.

In fact in a circle Enso You can depict symbols or even Buddha. This will still have the right measure of Zen - enlightenment, purification and peace.

Koans of Zen Buddhism: Examples

Koans of Zen Buddhism are small narratives with questions and dialogues. They may not have logic, but will understand the person who wants to know Zen. The goal of Coan is to create a psychological impulse for a student who must understand and achieve enlightenment. This is a kind of parable, but Koan does not need to be translated or understood, it serves to understand true reality.

Here are examples of koans:

Do not try to understand Zen Buddhism. It should be within you, this is your true essence. Practice self -discipline, know the joy of existence, believe, accept, and then you can comprehend Zen and accept it into yourself.

Video: Conversation with Ginen Master Zen about truth and meditation