Japanese Zen

Japanese Zen

Buddhism in Japan
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Schools Jōjitsu Hosso Sanron Kegon Ritsu Kusha Tendai Shingon Pure Land Zen Nichiren
Founders Saichō Kūkai Hōnen Shinran Dōgen Eisai Ingen Nichiren
Sacred texts Avataṃsaka Sūtra Lotus Sūtra Prajñāpāramitā Heart Sūtra Infinite Life Sūtra Mahāvairocana Sūtra Vajraśekhara Sūtra
Glossary of Japanese Buddhism

Mahāyāna Buddhism
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Teachings Bodhisattva Samādhi Prajñā Emptiness Trikāya
Mahāyāna Sūtras Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras Lotus Sūtra Nirvāṇa Sūtra Saṃdhinirmocana Sūtra Avataṃsaka Sūtra Śūraṅgama Sūtra
Mahāyāna Schools Mādhyamaka Yogācāra Tiantai Huayan Zen Pure Land Esoteric Buddhism Nichiren
Traditions Schools of Buddhism Hinayana Theravāda Mahāyāna Vajrayāna Tibetan

Buddhism
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Nirvāṇa Four Stages Arahant Buddha Bodhisattva
Traditions · Canons Theravāda Pāli Mahāyāna Hinayana Chinese Vajrayāna Tibetan
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See also Zen for an overview of Zen, Chinese Chán for the Chinese origins of Chán, and Sōtō, Rinzai and Ōbaku for the three main schools of Zen in Japan

Zen is the Japanese variant of Chán, a school of Mahayana Buddhism which strongly emphasizes dhyana c.q. concentration-meditation. This gives insight into ones true nature, or the emptiness of inherent existence, which opens the way to a liberated way of living.

Read more about Japanese Zen: Methods, Contemporary Zen Organisations, Western Zen Lineages Derived From Japan

Famous quotes containing the words japanese and/or zen:

“I will be all things to you. Father, mother, husband, counselor, Japanese bartender.”
—Mae West, U.S. screenwriter, W.C. Fields, and Edward Cline. Cuthbert Twillie (W.C. Fields)

“Zen ... does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.”
—Alan Watts (1915–1973)