Ideas

... basic forms . . . by Sengai

Fall 2002, University Center (Directions), Cayo Room (#210)

W, 6:45-8:15 p.m -- zazen and kinhin (sitting and walking meditation)
Th, 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm -- zazen and kinhin
Th, 7 - 8:30 p.m -- zazen and kinhin
What is Zen
How to Practice zazen (Zen meditation)
Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji (the American Rinzai-Zen monastery)
Buddhist Sutras and Chanting
Zen Practice on Campus of TAMU-CC (Directions)
Zen Practice in Corpus Christi and in Texas
Recommended additional readings and documents
Zen Links

What is Zen?





A special transmission outside the scriptures;
Not depending on words or letters;
Directly pointing at one's mind;
Seeing into one's true nature and the attainment of Buddhahood.

Bodhidharma (470?-543?)

Sitting Daruma (Bodhidharma) by Zen Master Seisetsu (1986 - 1945)

The calligraphy reads: "No one travels in the wilderness under the autumn sky
The horsehair [whisk] from the east arrives, who is it?"

According to the legend, when the Indian sage Bodhidharma (the 28th Buddhist Patriarch and the 1st Zen patriarch in China) arrived from India, the Emperor asked him what merit was gained from endowing Buddhist temples and monasteries. Bodhidharma answered, "No merit." The Emperor then inquired about the basic principle of Zen. Bodhidharma replied, "Vast emptiness, nothing sacred." Who, then, now stands before me?" asked the Emperor. Bodhidharma replied, "Fushiki" ("Not knowing," "I don't know" ).
The Emperor did not understand. Thus, Bodhidharma left and settled in the mountain monastery of Shao-lin where he practiced unmovable zazen (sitting Zen). Hui-k'o found his way to the master and, after an impressive proof of his "will for truth," was accepted as a disciple. Eventually he become the second Patriarch of Zen in China.

The Japanese word Zen(na) (Chinese Ch'an(na); Sanskrit Dhyana) refers to the unity of mind which can be obtained through spiritual practice. One form of this practice involves motionless sitting -- zazen (sometimes referred to, in the West, as meditation). Other forms of Zen practice involve walking, chanting, or eating. In each case practitioners aim at achieving the state of wisdom and inner peace.

What Is Zen?, by Eido T. Shimano Roshi
What is Zen?, by Seung Sahn
What is Ch'an?



Schools of Zen Buddhism, according to T. Matthew Ciolek




zazen (meditation)




Zazen instructions available on the web:
Beginning Meditation - A Zen Primer, Maria Kannon Zen Center (Dallas, TX)
Meditation and Mental Culture, Buddhism in the National Capital of Canada
Talks on Zen practice and meditation by American Soto Zen teachers, The Chapel Hill Zen Group
Zen Meditation: The Seat of Enlightenment, Zen Mountain Monastery;
The Way of Zazen (by Shodo Harada Roshi), The Columbia Zen Center : One Drop Zendo
Buddhist Sutras and Chanting

Diamond Sangha Daily Zen Sutras (Translations/revisions by Robert Aitken Roshi)
The Great Prajna-Paramita Heart Sutra
The Great Vows for All
The Bodhisattva Vow by Torei Zenzi
The Practice of Chanting in Buddhism (by Venerable Dhammasami, Theravada Buddhism)
The Heart Sutra in Buddhist Sanskrit (prepared by: Dr. Michael E. Moriarty)
Essential Zen sutras and other writings in Rinzai school
Links

Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji (the first American Zen monastery)
"Endless Knot" (Robes, cushions, and mats for Zen practice)
Buddhist Studies: World Wide Web Sites
Academic Centers for Buddhist Studies
The Study and Practice of Buddhism
Introductions to Buddhism (for non specialists)