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Definition:
According to Zen Buddhism, it is possible for a person to attain enlightenment in this life
through the practice of meditation and development of mental and spiritual discipline. Zen
was originally developed in China but it was later stressed by Japanese Buddhists such as
Eisai and Dogan. Zen simply means "meditation" and is the Japenese equivalent of the
original Sanskrit term dhyana.
The emphasis on meditation in Zen Buddhism is often misunderstood by people in the West. It isn't simply a matter of sitting still - relaxing bubble baths while sipping green tea cannot qualify as proper Zen meditation. Instead, meditation is a rigorous practice designed to reveal things to you about yourself which are necessary for the purpose of attaining enlightenment.
By releasing conscious, directed thinking, you allow random, unrequested thoughts to arise to awareness - a torrent of ideas which reveals a choatic universe normally hidden from us. It requires courage to face such thoughts and it requires real effort to become detached from it all, learning how our own thoughts are a source of our suffering which must be let go in order to achieve genuine peace and harmony.
Also Known As: dhyana (Sanskrit), Ch'an (Chinese)
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism? For that matter, what is and is not a religion?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear.
