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[[Image:Kamakura Budda.jpg|right|Kamakura Budda]]

[[Image:Kamakura Budda.jpg|right|Kamakura Budda]]

'''Zen''' is a form of [[Buddhism]] that focuses on a momentary awareness of the "now".

'''Zen''' is an [[Asia|East Asian]] form of [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]] that focuses on regular seated [[meditation]] practices that for beginners include momentary [[awareness]] of the "now" or "present moment". It started in [[China]] during the [[Tang]] [[dynasty]] with an itinerant [[monk]] from [[India]] named Bodhidharma. It them spread along with the Asian [[martial art]]s to [[Japan]], [[Korea]] and [[Vietnam]].  

One of the best descriptions of what Zen is can be understood when the you understand the saying:

One of the best descriptions of what Zen is can be understood when the you understand the saying:

 

"Before [[enlightenment]], chop wood, carry water.

"Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.

After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water."

After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water."

Buddhism began with [[Siddhartha Gautama|Shakyamuni Buddha]], the founder, about 500 BC in Northern [[India]]. It emphasises meditation to realise the illusory nature of self and the eternal abiding reality of the Cosmic Buddha or 'Dharmakaya'. Buddhism moved from India to China due to the efforts of the monk Bodhidaruma (or 'Bodhidharma') who made the treacherous sea crossing to [[China]]. The Indian word for meditation 'Dhyana' was taken to describe the heart of the practise in China and the name 'Dhyana' was there pronounced 'Chan'. When Chan Buddhism was taken from China to [[Japan]] the word 'Chan' was pronounced 'Zen' in Japanese. There are several schools of Zen Buddhism in Japan: Soto, Rinzai, Obaku etc. Another name for the meditation which is the heart of the practise is 'Shikan Taza' which means 'Serene Relection' - a "seeing deeply into the nature of things".  

Buddhism moved from [[India]] to [[China]] due to the efforts of the [[monk]] Bodhidaruma (or '[[Bodhidharma]]') who made the treacherous sea crossing to [[China]]. The Indian word for meditation 'Dhyana' was taken to describe the heart of the practice in China and the name 'Dhyana' was there pronounced 'Chan'. When Chan Buddhism was taken from China to [[Japan]] the word 'Chan' was pronounced 'Zen' in Japanese. There are several schools of Zen Buddhism in Japan: Soto, Rinzai, Obaku etc. Another name for the meditation which is the heart of the practice is 'Shikan Taza' which means 'Serene Reflection' - a "seeing deeply into the nature of things".  

== Chan Buddhism ==

== Chan Buddhism ==

Chan Buddhism is a form of [[Buddhism]] which originated in China in around the 6th Century AC. Today it is notably practiced in China (as Chan Buddhism), Japan (as Zen Buddhism), [[Vietnam]] (as Thien Buddhism) and across [[Korea]] (as Seon Buddhism). There may be debate as to whether it should be defined as a non-theistic [[religion]] or a [[philosophy | philosophical]] paradigm, but across its various schools, the emphasis of Chan Buddhism is on regular meditation (known as ''zazen'' or ''shin-ja'') and heightened awareness of 'things in themselves' through various techniques, including through the focus on repetitious daily activities (as is common in various [[Christian]] [[monastic]] communities).

Across Zen's various schools, the emphasis of Chan Buddhism is on regular meditation (known as ''zazen'' or ''shin-ja'') and heightened awareness of 'things in themselves' through various techniques, including through the focus on repetitious daily activities (as is common in various [[Christian]] [[monastic]] communities) including [[chanting]] and [[prayer]].

 

 

 

 

[[Category:Buddhism]]

[[Category:Buddhism]]