- Pratte, David E. "Buddhism and Christianity: How Does Buddhist Teaching Compare to the Bible?" A Bible Online Religion Guide: Gospel of Jesus, Free Studies. The Gospel Way, 2003. Web. 15 June 2010. (http://www.gospelway.com/religiousgroups/buddhism.php).
- Unknown. "Zen Buddhism,Outline of Zen Buddhism,Introduction to Zen Buddhism." Buddhist Tourism,Travel Buddhist Sites,Buddhist Tourism in India, Japan, Tibet, China. Buddhist-Tourism.Com, 8 June 2010. Web. 15 June 2010. (http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/buddhism/zen-buddhism.html).
- Kitagawa, Joseph M., and John S. Strong. "Zen Buddhism." Public Services - Social, Religious, Scientific, Products, Environment. 28 Jan. 2010. Web. 8 June 2010. (http://mb-soft.com/believe/txo/zenbuddh.htm).
- "Zen Buddhism - Introduction to Zen Buddhism - History of Zen Buddhism - Basics of Zen Buddhism - Manual of Zen Buddhism." Buddhist Temples India, Buddhist Pilgrimage in India, Buddhism Origin, Buddhism Religion, Buddhist Temple Tours, Buddhist Pilgrimage Travel India, Information on Buddhism. Buddhist Temples.com. Web. 9 June 2010. (http://www.buddhist-temples.com/buddhism-schools/zen-buddhism.html).
- Unknown. "Zen History." Sydney Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate Australia. Web. 9 June 2010. (http://www.karate.butsu.net/onzen/zen_history.html).
Cited Resources
Comparison with Christianity Using the Five Big Questions
1. What is the ultimate reality/supreme power?
Zen Buddhism practices meditation in order to turn their focus to one of the many gods or spirits of the aspects of Buddhism. They also worship shrines to the original Buddha. Christianity, however, worships only one God and believes he is supreme ruler over all creation.
2. What is the nature of the world?
All people must direct their sufferings to peace and get rid of all desires, for they are the key to all pain. If one finds true peace, then they will forever live in that state. Christians believe that all people are born in sin and we are to live as much as we can, hand in hand with the Lord.
3. Where do I fit in the universe?
Buddhists believe they are to move away from all of their desires, and center themselves around the worship of those who will bring them peace and aid them in complete meditation in order to achieve the highest state of enlightenment and meditation. In Christianity, we believe that God placed each human on the earth to act as stewards and to take care of the world to the best of our ability, giving God all of the glory.
Zen Buddhism practices meditation in order to turn their focus to one of the many gods or spirits of the aspects of Buddhism. They also worship shrines to the original Buddha. Christianity, however, worships only one God and believes he is supreme ruler over all creation.
2. What is the nature of the world?
All people must direct their sufferings to peace and get rid of all desires, for they are the key to all pain. If one finds true peace, then they will forever live in that state. Christians believe that all people are born in sin and we are to live as much as we can, hand in hand with the Lord.
3. Where do I fit in the universe?
Buddhists believe they are to move away from all of their desires, and center themselves around the worship of those who will bring them peace and aid them in complete meditation in order to achieve the highest state of enlightenment and meditation. In Christianity, we believe that God placed each human on the earth to act as stewards and to take care of the world to the best of our ability, giving God all of the glory.
4. What is the problem with humanity and what is the solution? In Buddhism, the problem with humanity is that humans focus too much on fighting and on the negative, violence, and suffering in the world and not surrounding themselves with peace. The solution for this would be meditation and complete dedication to the rituals and prayers to the peace gods. Christians believe that the problem with humanity is sin and the solution is salvation through Christ and devotion to his Word.
5. What happens after death?
Buddhists believe that those who achieve the eightfold path will eventually move on to the enlightened state of Nirvana, where they have everlasting peace. Christianity believes that those who accept Jesus Christ into their hearts as their personal Lord and Saviour, living the life God has called them to, will have everlasting life with Him in Heaven.
(Picture: Mythological dimension/Doctrinal dimension - Mythological creatures surrounding a divinity in Zen Buddhism)
Biblical Passages vs. Zen Buddhism
One of the main aspects of Buddhism is the belief that there are many gods in life - one for almost each component of life. Christianity, however, strongly believes in one God only. We worship no other idols, images, or shrines. We simply put our faith in the One whom we cannot see, but wholeheartedly follow.
Deuteronomy 6:4 (KJV) - "The Lord our God is one Lord."
Matthew 4:10 (KJV) - "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him ONLY shalt thou serve."
(Picture: Experiential demension - Monks burn incense at An Sinh temple which worships Kings of the Tran dynasty.)
Deuteronomy 6:4 (KJV) - "The Lord our God is one Lord."
Matthew 4:10 (KJV) - "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him ONLY shalt thou serve."
In fact, it is very clear, in many cases of the Bible, that worshipping idols and images is forbidden, and results in punishment. God will not stand for the worshipping of those under him, especially those whom people believe have more power than God, who will give them peace and healing.
Isaiah 42:8 (NIV) - "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols."
In addition, man cannot be divine and cannot become God, for there is only One in whom we worship. Unlike Zen Buddhism, we do not meditate to solve all of our needs in peace and healing, hoping that one of the gods will free us, rather we pray and intercede through Christ and trust in him to provide us our needs if we, in turn, give Him all the glory.
Ezekiel 28:2 (NIV) - "'I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.' But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god."
Ezekiel 28: 6-10 (NIV) - "... Will you then say, 'I am a god,' in the presence of those who kill you? You will be but a man, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you."
(Picture: Experiential demension - Monks burn incense at An Sinh temple which worships Kings of the Tran dynasty.)
Quotes in Zen Buddhism
Nothing can match the strength of those whose lives have been shaped and forged through challenging and overcoming hardships. Such people fear nothing. The purpose of our Buddhist practice is to develop such strength and fortitude. To cultivate such an invincible core is in itself a victory. It is also the greatest benefit. Those who can succeed in this endeavor will savor unsurpassed happiness; they can manifest the supreme state of Buddhahood.
-Diasaku Ikeda
One of the main aspects of life in which Zen centers is peace, and peace is one of the main keys to overcoming hardships. As a result of these sufferings comes strength, and from seeing others' strength, comes encouragement; and all of this leads to true peaceful happiness - the Buddha's goal.
Zen mind is not Zen mind. That is, if you are attached to Zen mind, then you have a problem, and your way is very narrow.
Throwing away Zen mind is correct Zen mind.
Only keep the question, "What is the best way of helping other people?"
-Seung Sahn (Essential Zen)
Zen does not focus on strict rules and regulations in which to achieve one's encouraging state. If you focus so much on the exact way you're supposed to go about helping others, you will never receive the soul satisfying benefit of finding peace in encouragement for someone else. A goal of Zen Buddhism is to genuinely achieve this with a whole and dedicative heart.
A student asked Soen Nakagawa during a meditation retreat, "I am very discouraged. What should I do?"
Soen replied, "Encourage others."
-(Essential Zen)
It is a very simple suggestion. Simply making others feel at peace as oneself would want to feel at peace, is the strongest desire. Since all other earthly desires are considered to be the cause of all suffering, this simple task is also one of the biggest aspects of the Buddhist religion.
(Picture: Material demension - Zen Buddhism teachings text)
-Diasaku Ikeda
One of the main aspects of life in which Zen centers is peace, and peace is one of the main keys to overcoming hardships. As a result of these sufferings comes strength, and from seeing others' strength, comes encouragement; and all of this leads to true peaceful happiness - the Buddha's goal.
Zen mind is not Zen mind. That is, if you are attached to Zen mind, then you have a problem, and your way is very narrow.Throwing away Zen mind is correct Zen mind.
Only keep the question, "What is the best way of helping other people?"
-Seung Sahn (Essential Zen)
Zen does not focus on strict rules and regulations in which to achieve one's encouraging state. If you focus so much on the exact way you're supposed to go about helping others, you will never receive the soul satisfying benefit of finding peace in encouragement for someone else. A goal of Zen Buddhism is to genuinely achieve this with a whole and dedicative heart.
A student asked Soen Nakagawa during a meditation retreat, "I am very discouraged. What should I do?"
Soen replied, "Encourage others."
-(Essential Zen)
It is a very simple suggestion. Simply making others feel at peace as oneself would want to feel at peace, is the strongest desire. Since all other earthly desires are considered to be the cause of all suffering, this simple task is also one of the biggest aspects of the Buddhist religion.
(Picture: Material demension - Zen Buddhism teachings text)
News Stories on Zen Buddhism
- A Zen Buddhist Approach to the Anglican Crisis
http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=12651
- Chan or Zen Buddhism and Sufi Philosophy See Eye to Eye
http://mingkok.buddhistdoor.com/en/news/d/5642
- Zen at War and the Opposite of Equanimity
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=10,8923,0,0,1,0
- Military Police in Brazil Practice Zen Buddhism
http://buddhism-news.newslib.com/story/7863-1392/
- Prisoner Denied Access to Book on Zen Buddhism
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=2,2799,0,0,1,0
Prognosis regarding Zen Buddhism in the future...
I believe Zen Buddhism has high potential in being a greater significance to society's religions in the future. This type of Buddhism is mainly circulated around meditation and finding your inner peace in a world that brings pain and suffering. Schools, not only in countries such as China and India, are building quickly and significantly to ensure this teaching of finding one's self in meditation - starting with those at a young age so that generations to come may be educated on this type of Buddhism. Authority figures in communities, politics and the media are also slowly turning towards Zen in some locations in the Western area, which then encourages society even more.
(Picture: Ritual dimension - The practice of meditation)
http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=12651
- Chan or Zen Buddhism and Sufi Philosophy See Eye to Eye
http://mingkok.buddhistdoor.com/en/news/d/5642
- Zen at War and the Opposite of Equanimity
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=10,8923,0,0,1,0
- Military Police in Brazil Practice Zen Buddhism
http://buddhism-news.newslib.com/story/7863-1392/
- Prisoner Denied Access to Book on Zen Buddhism
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=2,2799,0,0,1,0
Prognosis regarding Zen Buddhism in the future...
I believe Zen Buddhism has high potential in being a greater significance to society's religions in the future. This type of Buddhism is mainly circulated around meditation and finding your inner peace in a world that brings pain and suffering. Schools, not only in countries such as China and India, are building quickly and significantly to ensure this teaching of finding one's self in meditation - starting with those at a young age so that generations to come may be educated on this type of Buddhism. Authority figures in communities, politics and the media are also slowly turning towards Zen in some locations in the Western area, which then encourages society even more.
(Picture: Ritual dimension - The practice of meditation)
Origins and History
Zen’s roots start in India where Buddhism was first introduced. From India, Buddhism began to spread to other parts of the world, and Zen Buddhism was then primarily practiced in China. Missionaries from India also came to China spreading this sect of Buddhism. A monk by the name of Bodhidharma from south India came to China in the 6th century CE and there founded Zen Buddhism.
Zen Buddhism was growing to be the largest division in Chinese Buddhism. Resulting from this, many schools of different sets of beliefs regarding Zen were being built. However, the basic focus of each school still remained the same, such as meditation, personal instruction, and personal experience. Rinzai School came to be known in the country when found by Esai Zenji.
In the 13th century, Soto School of Zen also developed, basing in Chinese Ts’ao-tung School. Teachers such as Mazu, Shitou, Baizhang, Huangbo, Linzi, and Yunmen devoted themselves to the development of specialized teaching methods which later turned into the Five Houses of “mature Chinese Zen Buddhism". In the mountains and forests of China, thousands of temples where tens of thousands of people lived, were constructed. Here, people would devote themselves to the study and practice of the Dharma of Buddha.
Zen did not just remain in China. Schools of Zen were also built in Japan, Vietnam, Korea, and western countries.
(Picture: Social dimension - Buddhist temple)
Zen Buddhism was growing to be the largest division in Chinese Buddhism. Resulting from this, many schools of different sets of beliefs regarding Zen were being built. However, the basic focus of each school still remained the same, such as meditation, personal instruction, and personal experience. Rinzai School came to be known in the country when found by Esai Zenji.
In the 13th century, Soto School of Zen also developed, basing in Chinese Ts’ao-tung School. Teachers such as Mazu, Shitou, Baizhang, Huangbo, Linzi, and Yunmen devoted themselves to the development of specialized teaching methods which later turned into the Five Houses of “mature Chinese Zen Buddhism". In the mountains and forests of China, thousands of temples where tens of thousands of people lived, were constructed. Here, people would devote themselves to the study and practice of the Dharma of Buddha.
Zen did not just remain in China. Schools of Zen were also built in Japan, Vietnam, Korea, and western countries.
(Picture: Social dimension - Buddhist temple)
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