Buddhism: Instant Zen

Buddhism is about finding ones way to nirvana. It is a journey that could take thousands of lifetimes. Zen Buddhism is a direct pointing to reality, of a faster path to enlightenment. In Instant Zen, he short aphorisms all contain different Buddhist truths and “life realities”. By understanding the short passages, one can see the messages hidden in the parables.

The messages in these parables all relate to the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, dharma, and anicca which all help one way or another in understanding reality and finding nirvana. The Four Noble Truths are the foundations of Buddha’s teachings: Life inevitably involves suffering; is imperfect and unsatisfactory. Suffering originates in our desires. Suffering will cease if all desires cease. The last noble truth is that there is a way to realize these states: the Noble Eightfold Path. Many of the parables in Instant Zen reflect the Eightfold Path and its ways of guiding humans to liberation. The eight paths are: understanding, right thought or motives, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right mindfulness, and right meditation. Anicca, or impermanence, also permeates Instant Zen. Knowing that something is not permanent is something that should be remembered while reading the parables. Life constantly changes, throwing trials and sufferings along the path to enlightenment, which last as many life times it takes for one to find true realization.

The first aphorism, saying that a real man is ordinary in behavior, reflects the Four Noble Truths. The aphorism says that no mater how luscious our food or special some is, that desire or lust will stray that person from enlightenment. One must live simply and ordinary, appreciating life for what it is: a fleeting moment.

The third aphorism “As the sound of the bell in the silent night, I wake from my dream in this dream-world of ours. Gazing at the reflection of the moon in a clear pool. I see, beyond my form, my real form.” In this aphorism, it states that once we a calm an collected, we will wake from the dream of this reality and be able to see the Truth. The reflecting pool is one’s mind,

were only when the reality of our mind is as calm as glass, we can see the meaning of existence and find nirvana.

Aphorism seven reflects the seventh and eighth aspects of the Eightfold Path. The monk notices