Zen Buddhism

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Buddhism from Japan and China

Zen Buddhism (also called Chan Buddhism in China) is one of the most famous types of Buddhism in the West. It has similarities with Taoism as well.

On this lens you will find video's about Zen Buddhist practice in Japan as well as links to more information about Zen Buddhism.

Founder of Zen Buddhism 

Zen Buddhism basic facts

Founder of Zen Darmo


Bodhidharma was an Indian sage who lived sometime in the fifth or sixth century AD. He is the undisputed founder of Zen Buddhism.

The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment 

The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment

Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 01/06/2010)Buy Now

A Zen Classic - and the reason it is a classic is that this is a practical book on Zen Buddhism. This book single handedly started the progress of people not just interested in Zen style relaxation, but moving into practical Zen Meditation.

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Introduction to the Zen concept of interdependence & independence 

Religious views on Zen Philosophy

How are the sun and the cloud dependent? How independent are they?

Become One with nature, without clinging or attachment - living in This Moment.

Learn to see yourself as part of Nature. As part of humanity. Selfishness, jealousy etc. To become awake to this opposition to everything around is, is to practice Zen.
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Best Books on Zen Buddhism 

Zen Buddhism: more facts

An Introduction to Zen Buddhism

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Amazon Price: $8.64 (as of 01/05/2010) Buy Now

Zen Buddhism

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Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 01/05/2010) Buy Now

The Beginner's Guide to Zen Buddhism

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Amazon Price: $11.16 (as of 01/05/2010) Buy Now

About the importance of Zazen (or Zen Meditation) 

A Zen monk from Japan explains that Zazen is neither about relaxation, nor about tension: it's about finding a middle way. He relates Zen meditation to the central nervous system.

He has advice for beginners too: start slowly.
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Zen Stories 

A man walking across a field encounters a tiger. He fled, the tiger chasing after him. Coming to a cliff, he caught hold of a wild vine and swung himself over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Terrified, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger had come, waiting to eat him. Two mice, one white and one black, little by little began to gnaw away at the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine in one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other. How sweet it tasted!



More stories from Zen Buddhism

The daily life in a Zen Monastery: the Kitchen & meditation 

Daily tasks - like cleaning the floor and cooking - are given the same importance as Zazen itself.

Explanation of the object of Zazen meditation
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Zen Buddhism - in Search of Self 

Religious Buddhist practice in South Korea

To complement the video fragments on this lens, you should check out this DVD with women Zen nuns in South Korea...

Zen Buddhism: In Search of Self

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 01/06/2010)Buy Now

Follows the daily lives of Zen nuns in South Korea. Realistic and meditative.

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Explaining Zen Meditation - or Zazen 

Meditation as a religious practice

The precise posture of Zen meditation: either full lotus or half lotus. The postures are explained and shown, which is very useful of course.

After the posture is explained, the video goes into the next most important thing: breathing. Only after you have learned the breathing correctly can you consciously train your mind through meditation.
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Types of Zen Buddhism: Rinzai (or Renzai) and Soto Zen 

Varying religious views within Zen Buddhism

A Zen Path Leads to the Entrance to the Garden at Koto-In

A Zen Path Leads to the Entrance to the Garden at Koto-In
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There are two main lineages of Zen Buddhism in Japan: Rinzai Zen and Soto Zen. Both share a disregard for the original Vinaya rules for monks and a focus on sitting meditation (Zazen).

The rest of this article on the difference between Rinzai and Soto Zen Buddhism.

Zen Lecture - Zen Dharma explained 

Lecture by Nyogen Roshi based on the the fourth koan of The Blue Cliff Record.

Not your typical peaceful Zen video - instead this lecture is funny and vibrant and very confrontational (which are also aspects of Zen).

He explains that the medicine a person takes is dependent on the illness. Similarly - in some cases meditation is advised, in others chanting and in others again studying sutras.

He stresses the only Zen master who appointed a woman as his successor.

The solution of the koan is about approval and disapproval...
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Others on Zen Buddhism 

Zen Waterman: Surfing and the Zen Buddhist Art of Happiness by Len ...
This is why Zen Buddhists and Buddhists meditate! They are utilizing the power of concentration to water the proper seeds with attention! It is that simple. Zen Buddhists are just selecting the seeds in their mind that they water. ...
Stark Raving Zen: Buddhism Gnat Clause...? Anybody?
Unleashing the dogs of war. Buddhism be damned. But they're not. They're tiny gnats, barely visible to the naked eye. What does that say about me? And what would you do?? Posted by Stark Raving Zen at 5:24 PM ...
The Reformed Buddhist: Brit Hume Should Convert to Buddhism
I have practiced and studied Zen Buddhism for several years and consider myself just an ordinary practitioner of the Buddha Dharma. I grew up and live in the Virginia/Washington D.C metro area, I have a beautiful 8 year old son and work ...

Zen Buddhist Quote 

Yasutani Roshi


The fundamental delusion of humanity is to suppose that I am here and you are out there.



More Zen Buddhism Quotes

More (Zen) Buddhism 

Buddhist inspiration from Zen

More about Buddhism

More Buddhism: Buddhist Calendars and Books 

What do you think of Zen Buddhism? 

Inspiring spiritual views?

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