![]() You are unlikely to be taught five different methods simplicity and clarity are important. Also unique is the simplicity of single-focus. ![]() Discipline plays a vital role in Zen.Ĭertainly, these are unique methods - at least the Koans and the stick are. The Zen master might pose an “unsolvable riddle” or puzzling phrase - the famous Koans - or instruct you to face a blank wall and focus on your breath and nothing else - with an occasional whack with a stick to wake you up. Zen is about “figuring it out on your own” - although only after some instruction and foundation in the sutras. Ask a Zen master to define Zen and he or she would likely say nothing. I will focus on its unique methods I don’t want to call them differences, because both its focus on single-pointed meditation and its emphasis on Buddha Nature are equally important to all Mahayana Buddhists. Although this article are my thoughts on the Zen Buddhist tradition from the perspective of a Western Buddhist who practices Zen, I try to cite sources for all of my points. Zen is a style of Buddhism most commonly practised in and associated with Japan, although originating from India, then transmitted to China via the monk Bodhidharma as Ch’an. Love many subjects, bilingual third year university student.” On Twitter> ![]() Zazen, silent sitting meditation - clasically, facing a blank wall - is, to some people synonymous with Zen.īy guest writer Lee Clarke Guest contributor to Buddha Weekly Lee Clarke: “I’m a Buddhist, Quaker, Humanist, existentialist and pacifist. That focus might be breath, art, caligraphy, archery, or riddles (koans) - but it’s all about focusing singularly. From single-pointed zazen mindfulness - facing a blank wall - to mysterious cyphers called Koans - “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” - Zen pursues the same Bodhisattva goal as other Mahayana Buddhists, with a distinctly focused method. Yongxin has been accused of financial and sexual misbehavior, but so far investigations have exonerated him.Zen holds a special place in the heart and mind for many, perhaps because it is “seemingly” singular in its simplicity and elegance. Shaolin is currently building a huge luxury hotel complex called "Shaolin Village" in Australia. Not only has the monastery become a tourist destination the Shaolin "brand" owns properties all over the world. Called the "CEO Monk," Yongxin, who has an MBA degree, has been criticized for turning the venerated monastery into a commercial enterprise. The photograph shows Shi Yongxin, Abbot of Shaolin Monastery, attending the opening session of the annual National People's Congress at Great Hall of the People on Main Beijing, China. Shaolin Monastery's commercial enterprises include a reality television program that searches for kung fu stars, a touring kung fu show, and properties around the world. Nevertheless, there is historic documentation that martial arts have been practiced at the monastery for centuries.Īt the center of controversy, delegate Shi Yongxin, Abbot of Shaolin Temple, arrives at The Great Hall Of The People to attend the opening session of the annual National People's Congress at Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. It's possible even "Shaolin" style kung fu developed somewhere else. ![]() Martial arts were practiced in China long before Shaolin was built. The monastery was an empty ruin until martial arts schools and clubs around the world donated money to refurbish it.Īlthough kung fu did not originate at Shaolin, the monastery is connected to the martial arts in legend, literature and film. Here, Zen meditation practices were applied to movement.ĭuring the cultural revolution that began in 1966, the monastery was sacked by Red Guards and the few remaining monks were imprisoned. The link between Zen and the martial arts was forged there as well. 470-543) arrived at Shaolin and established the Zen (Ch'an in China) school of Buddhism. 477 CE-some sources say 496 CE-the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times.Įarly in the 6th century, the Indian sage Bodhidharma (ca. Originally built by the Emperor Hsiao-Wen of northern China ca. Martial arts films and the "Kung Fu" television series of the 1970s surely have made Shaolin the most famous Buddhist monastery in the world. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |