Zen: Difference between revisions
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The emergence of Zen as a distinct school of Buddhism was first documented in [[China]] in the [[7th century]] [[Common Era|CE]]. It is thought to have developed as an amalgam of various currents in Mahāyāna Buddhist thought—among them the [[Yogacara|Yogācāra]] and [[Madhyamaka]] philosophies and the ''[[Perfection of Wisdom|Prajñāpāramitā]]'' literature—and of local traditions in China, particularly [[Taoism|Daoism]] and [[Huayan|Huáyán Buddhism]]. From China, Zen subsequently spread southwards to [[Vietnam]] and eastwards to [[Korea]] and [[Japan]]. In the late [[19th century|19th]] and early [[20th century|20th centuries]], Zen also began to establish a notable presence in [[North America]] and [[Europe]]. | The emergence of Zen as a distinct school of Buddhism was first documented in [[China]] in the [[7th century]] [[Common Era|CE]]. It is thought to have developed as an amalgam of various currents in Mahāyāna Buddhist thought—among them the [[Yogacara|Yogācāra]] and [[Madhyamaka]] philosophies and the ''[[Perfection of Wisdom|Prajñāpāramitā]]'' literature—and of local traditions in China, particularly [[Taoism|Daoism]] and [[Huayan|Huáyán Buddhism]]. From China, Zen subsequently spread southwards to [[Vietnam]] and eastwards to [[Korea]] and [[Japan]]. In the late [[19th century|19th]] and early [[20th century|20th centuries]], Zen also began to establish a notable presence in [[North America]] and [[Europe]]. | ||
As an Eastern philosophy, Zen is not a philosophy in the traditional Western sense where mere intellectual knowledge is the goal. | As an Eastern philosophy, Zen is not a philosophy in the traditional Western sense where mere intellectual knowledge is the goal. Zen teachers frequently employ the [[koan]], a kind of question which admits of no immediate rational answer -- as a teaching tool. | ||
Revision as of 23:46, 28 June 2007
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism notable for its emphasis on practice and experiential wisdom—particularly as realized in the form of meditation known as zazen—in the attainment of awakening. As such, it de-emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and the study of religious texts in favor of direct individual experience of one's own true nature.
The emergence of Zen as a distinct school of Buddhism was first documented in China in the 7th century CE. It is thought to have developed as an amalgam of various currents in Mahāyāna Buddhist thought—among them the Yogācāra and Madhyamaka philosophies and the Prajñāpāramitā literature—and of local traditions in China, particularly Daoism and Huáyán Buddhism. From China, Zen subsequently spread southwards to Vietnam and eastwards to Korea and Japan. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Zen also began to establish a notable presence in North America and Europe.
As an Eastern philosophy, Zen is not a philosophy in the traditional Western sense where mere intellectual knowledge is the goal. Zen teachers frequently employ the koan, a kind of question which admits of no immediate rational answer -- as a teaching tool.