Ch'an and Zen Buddhism
Ch'an Buddhism emerged as a distinct school of Mahayana in 6th century China. It spread to Vietnam, Korea and Japan, where it is called Zen. In the 20th century, significant interest in Zen developed in the West. Zen emphasizes direct experience of one's enlightened nature.
Zen 101: An Introduction to Zen Buddhism
This is a bare-bones introduction to Zen Buddhism for those who don't know Zen from spinach. It includes a brief history of the school and the Zen definition of Zen.
This is a bare-bones introduction to Zen Buddhism for those who don't know Zen from spinach. It includes a brief history of the school and the Zen definition of Zen.
Beginner Zen Books
There are truckloads of books about Zen, but many assume the reader already knows something about Zen, and unfortunately many other were written by people who don't know Zen. If you are a genuine beginner and don't know a zabuton from zucchini, here are some books for you.
There are truckloads of books about Zen, but many assume the reader already knows something about Zen, and unfortunately many other were written by people who don't know Zen. If you are a genuine beginner and don't know a zabuton from zucchini, here are some books for you.
Women of Zen
There were women Zen masters from the earliest days of Zen in China. Here are five women from the early history of Zen
There were women Zen masters from the earliest days of Zen in China. Here are five women from the early history of Zen
Chado: Zen and the Art of Tea
Chado, or Chanoyu, began as a Zen practice. Called in English the "tea ceremony," in fact is it not so much a ceremony involving tea as it is just this moment, fully experienced and appreciated.
Chado, or Chanoyu, began as a Zen practice. Called in English the "tea ceremony," in fact is it not so much a ceremony involving tea as it is just this moment, fully experienced and appreciated.
Fusatsu: A Zen Buddhist Ceremony
Fusatu is one of the most beautiful ceremonies of Zen Buddhism. It is a ritual of atonement, purification, and renewal of vows.
Fusatu is one of the most beautiful ceremonies of Zen Buddhism. It is a ritual of atonement, purification, and renewal of vows.
Sailing Home: An Interview With Norman Fischer
"The mystery (and pain!) of our lives is that we are where we need to be, but we don't know it," Zen Teacher Norman Fischer writes in his book Sailing Home. How do we know it? In this interview, Fischer discusses the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and how they direct, or misdirect, our course.
"The mystery (and pain!) of our lives is that we are where we need to be, but we don't know it," Zen Teacher Norman Fischer writes in his book Sailing Home. How do we know it? In this interview, Fischer discusses the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and how they direct, or misdirect, our course.
My So-Called Zen Practice -- Personal Reflections on Zen
This is about Zen and me (or should I say, not-me?). If you don't mind some rambling personal reflections, then welcome to my world. Kick off your shoes and take a seat.
This is about Zen and me (or should I say, not-me?). If you don't mind some rambling personal reflections, then welcome to my world. Kick off your shoes and take a seat.
Warrior Monks of Shaolin
Photo gallery of images of China's Shaolin Monastery and its martial arts monks. The 15-century-old monastery is the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and of its own style of kung fu. Today it's a center of martial arts training and a successful commercial enterprise. But is it still a monastery?
Photo gallery of images of China's Shaolin Monastery and its martial arts monks. The 15-century-old monastery is the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and of its own style of kung fu. Today it's a center of martial arts training and a successful commercial enterprise. But is it still a monastery?
Bodhidharma, the First Patriarch
Bodhidharma founded Ch'an Buddhism in the 5th century.
Bodhidharma founded Ch'an Buddhism in the 5th century.
Zen Meditation (Zazen) Instructions
Zazen is a particular kind of meditation, unique to Zen, although it is derived from the same ancient meditation practices of early Buddhism. Zazen is the very heart of Zen practice.
Zazen is a particular kind of meditation, unique to Zen, although it is derived from the same ancient meditation practices of early Buddhism. Zazen is the very heart of Zen practice.
Zen and Art in Japan
A brief introduction to the influence of Zen on painting and other arts of Japan, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
A brief introduction to the influence of Zen on painting and other arts of Japan, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.