Brief History of Buddhism: Buddhism basis its principles and practices on the virtues of peace, loving kindness and wisdom. One of the basic beliefs of Buddhists is the conviction that happiness and good fortune are attainable to all, regardless of age, race or background. They believe that all negative mental states can be overcome through the practice of meditation and by learning how to meditate; humans can develop peaceful and positive states of “virtue” and be able to solve the problems associated with their daily lives. Reincarnation is another belief of Buddhists. They believe that humans are reborn after dying and adhere to the notion that most humans go through many cycles of birth, life, death and rebirth. These cycles will end when the attachment to desire and the self is released. Once this achieved, a state of freedom from suffering is accomplished. This is the state of Nirvana and the desired destination for believers.
Zen Buddhism: Both the words “Zen” (Japanese) and Ch’an (Chinese) derive from the Sanskrit word Dhyana, meaning “meditation”. Zen Buddhists focus on attaining enlightenment (bodhi) through meditation as Siddharta Gautama did. It teaches that all human beings have a Buddha- nature or the potential to attain enlightenment, within them, but the Buddha – nature has been clouded by ignorance. To overcome this ignorance, Zen rejects the study of scriptures, religious rights, devotional practices and good works in favor of meditation leading to a sudden breakthrough of insight and awareness of ultimate reality. Training in the Zen path is usually undertaken by a disciple under the guidance of a master.
Zen in China: Zen began in China in the 6th Century C.E. Its introduction is generally attributed to Bodhiharma, a South Indian monk, who arrived in China about 520 C.E. Its philosophical background can be found in the Lankavarta Sutra, which was composed in the 4th Century or earlier in India. As it developed in China, it was also influenced by Taoist concepts. This is especially apparent in the Ch’an emphasis on spontaneity and naturalness in all things, which significantly influenced Chinese paintings, writing and other arts.
Zen in Japan: Zen arrived in Japan as early as the 7th Century, but did not develop significantly there until the 12th Century. Zen has since been as important force in Japan. It has had considerable influence in Japanese culture “reaching far beyond the temple and entering into cultural and social areas of all kinds, including gardening, ink painting, calligraphy, the tea ceremony and even military strategies. Zen priests played an important role in the political unrest of the 16th Century Japan, serving as diplomats and administrators, while preserving the Japanese cultural life. There are three sects of Zen Buddhism, Rinzai, Soto, and Obaku.
The Rinzai: The Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism was introduced to Japan by the Chinese priest, Ensai in 1191. It emphasizes the use of Koans, conterdictory puzzles or questions that help the practitioner to overcome the normal boundaries of logic. Koans are often accompanied by shouts or slaps from the master, intended to provoke anxiety, leading to instant realization of the truth. Ensai also taught that Zen should defend the state and could offer prayers and incantations. This in turn influenced the warrior class and led to a Zen influence over the martial arts of archery and swordsmanship.
The Soto: The Sota sect of Zen Buddhism was first established as the Coadong sect during the Tang Dynasty by the Dongshan Liangjie in the 9th Century, which Dogen Zenji brought to Japan in 1227, when returning from China. Sota emphasizes zazen, or sitting meditation, as a means of enlightenment. The Soto practitioner is encouraged to clear the mind of thoughts and concepts without making any effort towards enlightenment, until enlightenment occurs. Sota Zen is sometimes referred to as the “Farmer Zen” because of its mass appeal, though some Zen teachers would say that the reason it is called “Farmer Zen” is because of its down to earth approach.
The Obaku: Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism was established in 1661 by a small faction of masters in China and their Japanese students. The monastic practices of Obaku were largely informed by the Obaku-Shing or the Obaku codes, composed in 1672 with ten sections outlining the practice regimen. Obaku is a fusion of Rinzai and Soto Zen. This is the union of the Koan study and the practice of sitting meditation.