Article by Warren Marion
Zen Buddhism is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism, and the basis is of the Mahayana sutras, written in India and China. The most important among them include lankavatara sutra, diamond sutra, heart sutra and a chapter in Lotus sutra. Also notable are the following points about Zen:
1) The basics of Zen teachings also include the fundamental elements of Buddhist philosophy. The eightfold path, four noble truths, five skandhas and three dharma seals are included in Zen teachings. However, the teachings in Zen tradition are restricted only to Mahayana Buddhism.
2) Zen teachings are influenced by Chinese philosophy, particularly Taoism. The Zen teachings do not entail any intellectual philosophy. In fact, they help to practice meditation regularly. They emphasize the prevention of ego and selfishness. The disciples who learn Zen teachings need to perform some tedious tasks as a common person; Zen philosophy believes in acquiring knowledge from all the aspects of life. The knowledge thus acquired can help to get enlightenment.
3) The main aim of Zen teachings is to discover and feel the nature of Buddha, which is the nature of the mind within each and every person. It is important to understand that alertness can help attaining this easily. Another thing required to reach Buddha-nature includes six paramitas. The six paramitas surpass the confines of the mortal body. They include charity, discipline, patience, strength, meditation and wisdom. The Zen practitioner can master these six paramitas by practice, and it is also important to remove the obstructions that block the supreme vision of Buddha nature.
4) In order to attain the Buddha nature, Zen practitioners believe in meditation and mindfulness that can help in gaining new perspectives and insights, thereby leading to enlightenment.
5) Zen philosophy does not support religious texts. They condemn the textual hermeneutics. Instead, the Zen Gurus leads the practitioner to seek external answers. The Gurus guide the practitioner to search within himself the Buddha-nature. They help in focusing the attention on meditation that can lead to unmediated consciousness. This is normally termed as turning an eye inward