Zen Buddhism in Japanese Culture
History
The origin of Zen is traced by its followers to the "Flower Sermon" delivered by the Buddha. The founding of the school is credited to Bodhidharma, a monk from Southern India who arrived in China around 500 AD. Most of his life is legendary, and it is believed that he is a composite figure rather than an actual person. Called Ch'an in Chinese, the school eventually became the largest in China. It spread to Japan in the 1100s, although Zen-like practices had existed in Japan for centuries. Japanese Zen practice solidified into two major schools, Rinzai, credited to Eisai in the late 1100s and the Soto Zen school founded by Dogen in 1215.
Other Major schools of Buddhism in Japan: All, including Zen, are forms of Mahayana Buddhism which teaches that every sentient being contains Buddha nature and has the ability to become a Buddha with proper practice.
Tendai - Predates Zen. Tendai emphasizes rituals and scholarship as paths to awakening. It also reconciled Buddhism and Shinto
Pure Land - Predates Zen. Pure Land is a devotional form of Buddhism in which followers worship Amitabha Buddha, hoping to gain a place in the heavenly "Pure Land" he created for people to live in until they attain enlightenment.
Shingon - Also predates Zen. Uses esoteric and tantric practices to attain enlightenment, which is possible in the current lifetime. Shingon monks were patronized by nobles during the Heian period and cultivated art and literature.
Nichiren - Slightly younger than Zen, Nichiren, like Zen, Tendai and Shingon, but unlike most other schools, teaches that enlightenment is possible in this life. It is distinguished by "daimoku" the practice of chanting a mantra.
Doctrine and Principles.
All sentient beings possess a Buddha nature which they have to discover in themselves and in the world around them. With the "Flower Sermon" as an example, Zen Buddhists believe that understanding is not transmitted through study or verbal communication but from the teacher's mind directly to the student's mind. Practice and experience are emphasized over written doctrines and scholarly debates. Of course in reality there are volumes of written doctrines and many debates. Physical labor, chores and certain crafts, such as rock gardens, are important for Zen students.
Rinzai - The older of the major Zen sects teaches that enlightenment, called satori, happens suddenly. Monks practice seated meditation and try to answer koans, or riddles which are either impossible or meaningless. To answer well, the students have to stop thinking conceptually and logically. Answers are presented to the teacher in private, and the teacher offers feedback and guidance.
Examples of Koans:
Q: Not even a thought has arisen; is there still a sin or not?
A: Mount Sumeru!
Q: What is Buddha?
A: Three pounds of flax.
Q: Two hands clap and there is a sound. What is the sound of one hand?
When looking at a picture of Bodhidharma wearing a beard Wakuan said "Why doesn't he wear a beard?"
"If you meed the Buddha kill him."
Koans serve an important function in the
humor of Zen Buddhism.
Soto Zen - Slightly newer than Rinzai, Soto is called the gradual school of Zen. Zazen, a form of seated meditation is the central practice of Soto Zen. The founder, Dogen, asserted that beings do not have Buddha Nature they are Buddha Nature, removing the distinction between normal activities and the inner nature. The practice of Zazen allows a person to gradually realize his or her true nature through concentrating on the present moment.
Influence on Japanese Culture
Zen has influenced many Japanese art forms, including painting, poetry, calligraphy, swordsmanship, tea ceremonies and flower arranging, giving all of them an emphasis on simplicity, elegance, foundation in the present and an awareness of the impermament nature of life.
Haikus most often try to capture simple moments. Tea ceremonies take a simple and inconsequential activity and give it more than 350 steps, forcing the performer to be totally focused on the present. Wabi Sabi has a zen emphasis on the impermanence of life and the temporary nature of all characteristics. These are just a few examples.
Sources
Mitchel, Donald W. Buddhism: Introducing the Buddhist Experience. Oxford University Press, New York NY. 2002
Olson, Carl. The Different Paths of Buddhism: A Narrative Historical Introduction. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, New Jersey 2005 Carl Olson.
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