![]() A student of Rinzai receives a koan from a teacher and then must solve it. What are the main teaching methods of Zen practice ? Koan PracticeĪlthough the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism utilizes zazen, studying koans is the central practice in Rinzai. This form of Buddhism is now also known as the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism. In 1227, Dogen Kigen went back to Japan, taking with him the Caodong school of Ch’an Buddhism. After he has experienced this liberation, Dogen Kigen was proclaimed Master Rujing’s heir. Consequently, he understood the riddle that had plagued him and achieved enlightenment. It was through Master Rujing’s teachings that Dogen Kigen learned that Buddhism is the practice of zazen. Dissatisfied with the koan method and unable to find an answer to his question, Dogen Kigen departed for China in 1223, just like Myoan Eisai did previously.Ī little while after arriving in China, Dogen Kigen came across Master Rujing who belonged to a school of Ch’an Buddhism called Caodong. During his time at Eisai’s temple, however, he began to question the emphasis placed on the use of koans. Unable to attain a satisfying answer off his teachers at Mount Hiei, Dogen Kigen went to study the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism at Eisai’s temple. During that time, he sought to understand why people were searching for enlightenment if it was supposed to reside within every person. Like Myoan Eisai, Dogen Kigen, who lived between the years of 12, studied Tendai Buddhism at Mount Hiei. Upon arriving home, Myoan Eisai introduced Japan to the Lin-Chi school of Ch’an Buddhism, also known now as the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. During this time, he studied and became a certified teacher in the Lin-Chi sect of Ch’an Buddhism. His second visit to China occured in 1187 and lasted four years. Upon his return, however, he continued to engage in Tendai Buddhist practices. ![]() It is believed that those travels arose out of a discontentment with the way Buddhism was taught in Japan.ĭuring his first visit to China in 1168, Eisai became acquainted with Ch’an Buddhism. He traveled from Japan to China to learn about Ch’an Buddhism twice during his lifetime. Myoan Eisai was a Japanese monk that lived between the years of 11. Due to his influence, Bodhidharma is viewed as the person responsible for founding Zen Buddhism. It is believed that his Buddhist teachings combined with Taoism in China to form Zen, also referred to as Ch’an Buddhism. Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhismīodhidharma was an Indian Buddhist monk who traveled to China in the 6th century. Upon achieving this state of enlightenment, Siddhartha became known as the Buddha, meaning “enlightened one”. He was struck by the realization that happiness was not determined by outside influences but rather by an inside influence, namely our minds. ![]() After six years of searching for the solution, Siddhartha reached enlightenment whilst engaging in zazen. He wanted to understand and put an end to human suffering. He started life as a prince but at 29 years of age, he abandoned this lifestyle. The Buddha, whose name was Siddhartha Gautama, lived in India roughly 2500 years ago. Origins of Zen Ancient Roots of Zen are found in India It is thought that the practice of zazen and koan examination cultivates satori, meaning enlightenment. The word ‘zazen’ means seated meditation, a practice that was established 2500 years ago. ![]() Another characteristic of Zen Buddhism is the use of zazen. One of its defining features is the utilization of seemingly nonsensical questions or statements, known as koans. Zen Buddhism is a distinctive branch of Mahayana Buddhism, one of the leading Buddhist traditions. ![]()
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