Recently many people go for meditation to refresh their minds or keep themselves calm. Even the word, Zen, became to be used to describe ‘organized’. But, what is Zen? Here are its history and relation to Japan.
What is Zen?
As you know, Zen is a branch of Buddhism. Zen indicates “Zen-Shu” (Zen Buddhism) or “Zazen”(the practice of Zen Buddhism). The fundamental idea of Zen Buddhism is “不立文字”‘(Furyu mon ji) which means that the lessons from Buddha should be obtained through experience rather than words. Based on this, Zen Buddhism aims to attain Satori (to go beyond uncertainty in your heart and then reach the truth) by Zazen, chores, and Koan (questions to lead to the truth).
Zazen is, as you call, meditation. Monks must sit by the specific way called Kakkefuza, and then be free from distracting thoughts and keep their mind clear.
The father of Zen Buddhism is an ascetic monk called Bodhidharma from India. He came to China and spread Zen Buddhism. The story of him where his limbs have gone because of 9-year meditation is well known.
Japan and Zen Buddhism
In Japan, Zen Buddhism became popular in the 13th century (Kamakura era). We have three different schools of Zen Buddhism, Rinzai-shu, Soto-shu, and Obaku-shu.
Monks of Rinzai-shu are required to think Koan during meditation. As head temples, Tenryu-Ji and Kencho-Ji are located.
Soto-shu focuses only on Zazen. It believes that Zazen itself represents for Satori (having reached the truth). Eihei-Ji is famous as its head temple.
Obaku-shu believes that Paradise (Gokuraku Jodo in Japanse) is in oneself rather than the West and it can be found through meditation. This school combined with Pure Land Buddhism.
This is Daruma which brings good luck to you in Japan. The meaning of Daruma seems to become far from the origin, nowadays, it is associated with ‘never give up’, since it would never fall because of the loss of its limbs. Even many Japanese might not know that it is Bodhidharma himself who lost his arms and legs.
Zen requires you to face yourself and clear your mind. Its history and practice are deep and varied. If you have a chance to visit a Zen Buddhism temple, Try Zazen there!
