Zen is a Japanese school of Mahāyāna Buddhism that lays emphasis on the value of meditation and insight. It was introduced to Japan from China in the 12th century.
The purpose of Zen is spiritual discipline to reach enlightenment (satori) through meditation in a seated posture (zazen.) A practitioner receives guidance from a teacher, and often uses paradoxical statements, stories, and puzzles (koans) to rise above mere intellectual reasoning and realize insight.
Owing to the consequential emphasis on harmony and mental tranquility, Zen has had a profound cultural influence on Japanese art and architecture. Zen practice has also inspired Japanese literature, the Japanese tea ceremony, and the Noh dance-theater.
Works on Zen by authors such as D. T. Suzuki has contributed to an ever-increasing appreciation and popularity of Zen in the West.
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Be as an cup, and the universe flows into you. Be as an arrow, and the universe retreats from you.
—Zen Proverb
Topics: Attitude
Sometimes, simply by sitting, the soul collects wisdom.
—Zen Proverb
Topics: Wisdom, Proverbs
If something is boring after 2 minutes, try it for 4. If still boring, try it for 8, 16, 32, and so on. Eventually, one discovers that it is not boring, but very interesting.
—Zen Proverb
Topics: Perseverance, Endurance, Resolve, Boredom
The obstacle is the path.
—Zen Proverb
Topics: Obstacles
If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are.
—Zen Proverb
Topics: Understanding, Proverbs