Koan Essay - 1209 Words

Obtaining Realization Through Koan Zen, also known as Ch’an Buddhism in China, is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that was established in China about 1500 years ago. Zen is a form of religious practice of mainly concentrating the mind to a single point in which then results in self-realization and/or enlightenment. Zen philosophy is interpreted that all humans are capable of reaching enlightenment, which is generally blocked by ignorance. The idea emphasizes enlightened masters over forms of scriptures, and is the least â€Å"academic† of all the Buddhist schools. The beliefs and traditions Zen Buddhism holds has been very influential on western society, which makes Zen one of the most well known school of Buddhism in America. The main ideas†¦show more content†¦Zen Buddhism has a reputation for being unfathomable or an incomprehensible type of religion. Much of that reputation is derived from koan practice. Buddhist priest Myoan Eisai introduced Zen in Japan in 1191 after receiving a certification as a Zen teacher in China, as a disciple of Xuan Huaichang. Along with his certification, Eisai also brought Zen scriptures and tea seeds in which he used when immediately opening the first Zen temple in Japan. Rinzai and Soto are the two sub divisions of Zen, and are the two largest Zen sects in Japan today. Rinzai was brought to Japan by Eisai in the 12th century and focuses on sudden enlightenment. This practice believes that unless one awakens the absolute, Rinzai will have no effect. Rinzai master Hakuin used koans, a puzzling or para doxical story or statement for aid in meditation. The most well known koan, â€Å"what is the sound of one hand clapping?† was created by Hakuin Ekaku. Koan, literally meaning â€Å"public cases† is one of the most familiar and distinctive elements of Zen Buddhism. It refers to mysterious and often shocking spiritual expressions, most cases in forms of riddles, based on encounters between masters and disciples of the tradition used as â€Å"pedagogical tools for religious training in the Zen (Ch’an) Buddhist tradition† (Wright 3). Most classic koans are derived from the T’ang dynasty China. Kung-an, the Chinese pronunciation of koan, is a case which establishes aShow MoreRelatedTaking a Look at Zen Koans522 Words   |  2 PagesZen koans serve the purpose of taking one beyond thinking into dethinking. It is a tool to separate the enlightened from others. The enlightened will make the connection instantly, like a fluid moment, since it is their nature. However, one is not enlightened will have to pause, and like the archer or swordsman seeking to gain mastership, will repetitively turn their mind to the k oan. While koans are usually riddles, or questions, the answers to them are insignificant. What is significant is theRead MoreThe Four Noble Truths of Buddhism1018 Words   |  4 Pageswhy a koan might help a person during meditation. A koan helps during meditation because it cuts through some of the mental clutter, which causes the mind to cling to mundane issues. Intead, the person focuses on pure awareness. The koan also jolts the persons mind awake and aware, because the paradox or puzzle makes the person think in unconventional ways. Instead of using the typical parts of the brain used in daily life, the koan encourages more expansive states of mind. Essentially, koans areRead MoreZen Buddhism Essay1202 Words   |  5 Pagesby Dogen, the illegitimate son of two aristocratic parents. Dogen was also a Tendai monk who became disillusioned with the faith, so he turned instead to the teachings of Eisai. After realizing that he wasnt fond of the emphasis Eisai placed on koans—Zen anti-riddles, meant to propel one into enlightenment—he moved on to Caodong monasteries, where he found himself to be quite impressed with the Caodong way of thinking. Upon hearing the Zen master berating a novice for falling asleep while meditatingRead MoreCompare And Contrast : Dogen And Hakuin1419 Words   |  6 Pagesbecame ordained at thirteen, and then became student of Eisai’s disciples, Myozen (1184-1225). Another master was Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769), Ordained at fourteen and given the name Ekaku which means â€Å"Wise Crane†. Hakuin is known for revitalizing the koan practice of the Rinzai School, which focused on â€Å"observing the key word†. Dogen founded the Soto school of Buddhism in Japan, which stressed silent sitting and a gradual path to enlightenment. Hakuin was a major critic of Soto Zen and believed thatRead MoreZen And Pure Land Buddhism1470 Words   |  6 Pagestraining that shows how it is different from normative Japanese Tendai and Darumashu practice. Dogen goes to China and brings back Caodong transmission. He later moved to a remote location off the coast of Japan and setting up shops. Dogen used Koan s but his style leaned more towards a commercial style instead of the Kanna style. In some cases, the Five Mountains temples became the center of learning for the study of neo-Confucian metaphysics, Chinese poetry, and calligraphy, material arts suchRead MoreFinding A Middle Way Between Zen And Pure Land Buddhism1692 Words   |  7 Pagescompassion and kono-mama or sono-mama (isness or suchness). 2. The Role of Language Zen’s school of thought in the context of language is seen through jiriki (self-power). The koan, one of the foundations of Zen learning, uses its approach by believing that one must embody and realize the koan (Shinran 139). Realizing the koan means to comprehend and embody Zen meditation completely. The goal of Zen Buddhism is to look towards the future, searching to attain satori (awakening). Through jiriki nembutsuRead MoreZen And Pure Land Buddhism1584 Words   |  7 Pagescompassion and ono-mama or sono-mama (isness or suchness). 2. The Role of Language Zen’s school of thought in the context of language is seen through jiriki (self-power).The koan, one of the foundation of zen learning, uses its approach by believing that one must embody and realize the koan (Shinran PG#). Realizing the koan means to comprehend and embody Zen meditation completely. The goal of Zen Buddhism is to look towards the future, searching to attain satori (awakening). Through jiriki nembutsuRead MoreBuddhism : The True Reality Of Reality And The Achievement Of Enlightenment1478 Words   |  6 Pagesshows them how to think or what not to think. Zen Buddhism is about showing true reality and having direct contact or glimpses of it rather than just saying what reality is. Some teachings of Zen emphasize unsolvable riddles or questions known as Koans, which a student attempts to rationalize and think about, however, they have no official solution. They cannot be solved through thinking (Suzuki, 1934). Even though Zen is criticized for speaking a lot beca use of so many of these anecdotes, they areRead MoreSimilarities Between Sherlock Holmes And Buddhism1481 Words   |  6 Pagesits discursive use is incapable of knowing and understanding in toto what reality is† because of this â€Å"paradoxes, contradictions, and even what appears to be utter nonsense abound in Zen literature† (Nagatomo, 2006). The aim of these paradoxes, or koans, is to â€Å"bring objective logic to a deadlock† (Nakamura, 1985). It is not only Zen that shares these somewhat â€Å"anti-logic† beliefs as even Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism do not strongly favour â€Å"intellectual speculation,† even though â€Å"rational thoughtRead MoreThe World Of The Buddha1381 Words   |  6 Pagesof each other, two Japanese monks, Eisai (1141-1215) and Dogen (1200-53), went to China, where they trained respectively in the Linji and Zaodong schools of Chan (Davids 112). These they then introduced into Japan. Rinzai emphasizes the use of th e koan, a mental stumbling block or riddle that the meditator must solve to the satisfaction of his master. Soto lays more stress on seated meditation without conscious striving for a goal, or zazen. Both schools fostered good relations with the shoguns and