The Ordinary Man Looks Outward:
...and Koan 6
Types and Benefits of Meditation 6
Stages of Zen Training 7
Zazen 12
Closing 16
References 17
Zen Buddhism
The Zen sect of Buddhism claims to transmit the special realization attained by Shakyamuni Buddha in the meditation posture under the Bodhi tree at Gaya. Zen legend states this realization occurred after six years of austere spiritual practices and at the end of a six-day and night meditation (Kuzunishi, Sato &, Victoria, 1972). This realization freed Buddha from all sufferings and limitations forever and he handed the tradition down to his disciple, Kashyapa. Thereafter, it continued in unbroken lines through patriarchs and teachers in India, China, Korea, and Japan. In China, the sect split into a number of different lines. After dominating Buddhism for centuries, it is now in decay in China, but still influential in Japan. The two main surviving transmissions are the Rinzai, which is divided into a number of sub sects, and the Soto, to which about two-thirds of the Japanese temples belong (Suzuki, 1960). This paper will explore the many facets of Zen Buddhism, including a history of the study of Zen, the historical figures, the practice of Zen, the stages of Zen training, and Zen postures and techniques.
History of Zen
Bodhidharma is believed to have brought Zen Buddhism to China. Bodhidharma was born in Southern India in 440 BCE. In 475, his spiritual teacher told him to travel to China and to transmit Dharma to China. It is said the Bodhidharma was in meditation for nine years. During his meditation, he would face a rock wall of a cave that was close to the Shaolin Temple, thus beginning the practice of "wall-gazing." After giving one of his followers the robe, begging bowl, Lankavatara Sutra, and mind transmission (the transmission of Truth from master to disciple heart to heart), Bodhidharma went to the Cheng Sung...
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