this post was submitted on 13 Sep 2023
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chan (zen)

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This is a community dedicated to the teaching of Chan / Zen in the form it emerged in China. This community does not recognize branches which call themselves Zen but have no connection to these lineages.

We do not recognize Zen as a form of Buddhism or as being synonymous with Buddhism.

Chan Buddhism: Chan Buddhism, known as Zen in Japan, originated in China during the 6th century CE. It emphasizes direct insight into one's true nature and the nature of reality, often through the use of meditation (called "zazen" in Japan). Chan practitioners seek to transcend conceptual thinking and intellectual understanding, aiming for direct experiential realization of enlightenment. Chan masters are known for using unconventional methods, such as using paradoxical questions called "koans," to disrupt ordinary thinking and awaken their disciples to the profound truth. Chan Buddhism places a strong emphasis on the transmission of enlightenment from master to disciple and has been influential in shaping the broader Zen tradition.

Dogen's Zen: Dogen Zen, also known as Soto Zen, is a Japanese school of Zen that was founded by the monk Dogen Zenji in the 13th century. Dogen studied Chan Buddhism in China and then returned to Japan to establish his school. While Dogen's Zen shares many core principles with Chinese Chan, it introduced some unique aspects. Dogen emphasized the practice of zazen (seated meditation) as the primary means of attaining enlightenment, without necessarily relying on koans. He stressed that enlightenment is not something separate from everyday life but can be realized through fully engaging in mundane activities. This notion is encapsulated in the famous phrase "practice-enlightenment" or "shikantaza," which means "just sitting" or "just being." Dogen's teachings also emphasized the concept of "non-duality," the idea that enlightenment and delusion are not separate realms but are interconnected aspects of reality.

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A lot of times people who argue with me about Zen express an understanding based upon a misinformed stereotype of what Zen is and what Zen Masters are like.

In addition to the lie of sitting meditation practice, people tend to think Zen Masters are these things:

  • always nice

  • always calm

  • never making claims

  • never hurting anyone

  • always uttering eloquent and profound magical sayings

So a mean, riled-up Zen Master who makes claims and rude utterances and possibly hurts some people seems outright impossible to these sorts of misguided souls. And so, they stumble past the Zen Masters.

The following is one of my favorite Zen quotes because it flies in the face of these ignorant stereotypes while also getting down to business:



Master Zhenjing said to an assembly:

"Buddhism does not go along with human sentiments. Elders everywhere talk big, all saying, 'I know how to meditate, I know the Way!' But tell me, do they understand or not?

For no reason they sit in pits of crap fooling spirits and ghosts. When people are like this, what crime is there is killing them by the thousands and feeding them to the dogs?

There is also a kind of Chan follower who is charmed by those foxes, even with eyes open, not even realizing it themselves. They wouldn't object even if they poured piss over their heads.

You are all individuals; why should you accept this kind of treatment? How should you be yourself?"

~ Treasury of the Eye of True Teaching #37



Zen is about "enlightenment or bust"; "true self or bust".

People who lie about Zen, about enlightenment, and about who they are?

They are busted.

Don't be like them; study Zen while you're here instead.

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