The Ordinary Man Looks Outward:

Table of Contents

History of Zen 3

Historical Figures 4

Protecting Gods 4

Zen Practice 5

Shikantaza and Koan 6

Types and Benefits of Meditation 6

Stages of Zen Training 7

Zazen 12

Closing 16

References 17

Zen Buddhism

The Zen sect of Buddhism claims to transmit the special realization attained by Shakyamuni Buddha in the meditation posture under the Bodhi tree at Gaya. Zen legend states this realization occurred after six years of austere spiritual practices and at the end of a six-day and night meditation (Kuzunishi, Sato &, Victoria, 1972). This realization freed Buddha from all sufferings and limitations forever and he handed the tradition down to his disciple, Kashyapa. Thereafter, it continued in unbroken lines through patriarchs and teachers in India, China, Korea, and Japan. In China, the sect split into a number of different lines. After dominating Buddhism for centuries, it is now in decay in China, but still influential in Japan. The two main surviving transmissions are the Rinzai, which is divided into a number of sub sects, and the Soto, to which about two-thirds of the Japanese temples belong (Suzuki, 1960). This paper will explore the many facets of Zen Buddhism, including a history of the study of Zen, the historical figures, the practice of Zen, the stages of Zen training, and Zen postures and techniques.

History of Zen

Bodhidharma is believed to have brought Zen Buddhism to China. Bodhidharma was born in Southern India in 440 BCE. In 475, his spiritual teacher told him to travel to China and to transmit Dharma to China. It is said the Bodhidharma was in meditation for nine years. During his meditation, he would face a rock wall of a cave that was close to the Shaolin Temple, thus beginning the practice of "wall-gazing." After giving one of his followers the robe, begging bowl, Lankavatara Sutra, and mind transmission (the transmission of Truth from master to disciple heart to heart), Bodhidharma went to the Cheng Sung Temple to start the teachings of Dharma. Bodhidharma would use the teachings of the Lankavatara Sutra to close the mind. Bodhidharma believed there are two paths to enter Dharma: study and practice. When one studies the Buddhist sutras and scripture, one will gain insight to the Buddha nature. When one practices and follows the Buddhist philosophy in daily life, one will discover his or her Buddha nature is equal to the Buddha (Lunzer, 1999).

Historical Figures

The Zen religion holds the figures Bodhidharma, Zendo, Arhats, and the Protecting Gods in high regard. Bodhidharma has a seat of honor beside Buddha Sakyamuni. With Japanese Zen followers, Bodhidharma is more highly honored, and in each of the principal Zen institutions in Japan, there is a special hall dedicated to the founder. In this hall, an oil-lamp is kept burning all day and night. Bodhidharma is a unique figure, identified wherever he is. He is one of the favorite subjects for the Zen masters to paint (Heine, 2000).

Arhats are dwellers in some remote mountains, and each is the leader of a large following. They usually appear sixteen in number, and their superficially grotesque and irregular appearances contrast in a strange way with those of the Bodhisattvas. They tame the wild beast and are said to be miracle workers. A Zen monk artist has used them in his paintings because they are his favorite objects to portray (Heine, 2000). Bhadrapala is one of the sixteen Arhats and had his satori (A spiritual awakening, which comes instantly), while bathing. He is now enshrined in a niche in the bathroom attached to the Meditation Hall. When the monks take their baths, they pay respect to his figure (Heine).

Protecting Gods

Niwo, Shitenno, Idaten, and Ususama Myowo are the "protecting gods" and each god has his or her own special area in which they perform their "executive duties for Buddhism." The god Niwo, found at the entrance gates, comes in two forms. One form is a male with a mouth tightly closed and the other, a female with an open mouth. They guard the holy place from intruders. Shitenno is located at the four corners of the alter, this god is also known as the "four guardian gods." The most popular of the four gods is the Vaisravana, the guardian of the north, who is the god of learning and of wealth. The god Idaten resides in the southern area, is god of the kitchen, and watches over supplies of the "brotherhood." It is also said this god is a fast runner and if there is trouble, he comes to the rescue. Ususama Myowo is the god of the bathroom. In Sanskrit, Ucchushma means "to dry" and "to parch." Essentially, to clean up filth by burning, for fire is a great purifying agency. Myowo is Vidyaraja, a special class of the gods who assume a form of wrath (Sacred Texts).

Zen Practice

The purpose of Zen training is to reveal the center of the core experience of life. Even though Zen practice traces its roots back to the Buddha, its essence remains vital and immediate, since it relies on personal encounter and not on dogma. Essentially, sincere practice is itself the teacher. Zen Buddhism, which is most commonly practiced in Japan, is the basic practice of meditation in order to reach peace within one's self. Zen is not a belief system ridden by dogma and philosophical intricacies, but a belief etched by practice. Zen is more often a simple practice than one that has a strong ethic of public activism. It is the difference between debate and action, between arguing about philosophy and turning within one's self and finding the answers that are already there (Koudela). Zen stresses the utmost importance of the enlightenment experience and the uselessness of ritual. This process stresses the spiritual analysis of doctrine and theology, not the analytical or expressly theological. The various practices that Zen students train in include breath counting, "shikantaza" or awareness training, and Koan study where the student is given a word, verse, or story from the Zen tradition as a focus for meditation. These practices develop the ability to concentrate and experience a deeper encounter with everyday life and to gain a better understanding of who they are (Kaza, 2000).

Shikantaza