![]() Human beings can't learn this truth by philosophising or rational thought, nor by studying scriptures, taking part in worship rites and rituals or many of the other things that people think religious people do. There's no need to search outside ourselves for the answers we can find the answers in the same place that we found the questions. Zen sends us looking inside us for enlightenment. The essence of Zen Buddhism is that all human beings are Buddha, and that all they have to do is to discover that truth for themselves. ![]() But remember, Zen does not depend on words - it has to be experienced in order to 'understand'. Despite that, words on this site will help you get some idea of what Zen is about. It's not a concept that can be described in words. Zen - the essence and the difficultyĬhristmas Humphreys, one of the leading pioneers in the history of Buddhism in Britain, wrote that "Zen is a subject extremely easy to misunderstand." He was right. 'Ch'an' is the Chinese pronunciation of the Sanskrit word Dhyana, which means (more or less) meditation. 'Zen' is the way the Chinese word Ch'an is pronounced in Japan. This natural spontaneity should not be confused with impulsiveness. ![]() Zen often seems paradoxical - it requires an intense discipline which, when practised properly, results in total spontaneity and ultimate freedom. Zen techniques are compatible with other faiths and are often used, for example, by Christians seeking a mystical understanding of their faith. The essence of Zen is attempting to understand the meaning of life directly, without being misled by logical thought or language. It began in China, spread to Korea and Japan, and became very popular in the West from the mid 20th century. Zen Buddhism is a mixture of Indian Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism. ![]()
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