What is the difference between Zen and Buddhism?

Question

Does Zen follow the precepts, rules and regulations of buddhism, or is it seperate in itself?

Answer 1

Zen is merely a form of Mahayana Buddhism that places great importance on moment-by-moment awareness and 'seeing deeply into the nature of things' by direct experience.
It emerged as a distinct school of thought, in China - and spread to Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and, in modern times, the rest of the world.
The Zen schools, like other Buddhist sects, teach the basic fundamental elements of Buddhist philosophy, including the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, pratitya samutpada, the five precepts, the five skandhas, and the three dharma seals: non-self, impermanence, and dukkha. Zen philosophy also includes teachings specific to Mahayana Buddhism, including the Mahayanan conception of the paramitas and the ideal of the bodhisattva's universal salvific power.
Zen is actually a contraction of the seldom-used long form 'zenna', which derives from ‘dhyanam’ (Sanskrit), or ‘gyanam’ (Pali), meaning meditation. ‘Zen’ is the Japanese pronunciation of the word ‘chán’ in Mandarin Chinese. The same character is read ‘Sun’ in Korean.

Answer 2

Zen can be traced to the historical Buddha and the word comes from the sanskrit word dhyana which means meditation. The monk Makakasayapa became enlightened at the Buddha's flower sermon-where the buddha twirled a flower in his had. Zen differs to more 'mainstream' Buddhism (if you can call it that) because it relies more on spoken lineage and there is a strong student/ master teaching line. It relies more on the individual's introspective meditation rather than guidance from the Buddha to achieve enlightenment (or Satori as it is known in Zen). Another difference is that enlightenment is not a permanent thing in Zen. It can come in a flash and then leave just as quick- it is just a moment of clarity and truth. The historical Buddha (Sidhatha) is not an importan figure, there is even the Zen saying of 'if you see the buddha in the road kill him'. This is because looking at others to reach enlightenment is distracting and does not develop your own Buddha nature, as in Zen there is the belief that all senient beings have an inate buddha nature (tathagatagarbha), and this has to be developed in order to achieve satori. It does not follow the eight fold path per se but through Zazen meditation and the devlopment of the Buddha nature such things as right effort and morality can be achieved. Zen is classed as a form of Mahayana Buddhism.

Answer 3

Buddhism takes three main forms; one of these, Mahayana Buddhism, itself takes many forms, one of which is Zen.

Zen Buddhism places great importance on being aware of each moment, and on meditation; 'seeing deeply into the nature of things' by direct experience.
Part of the Zen tradition, Koan are riddle-like questions which encourage a different understanding e.g. "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

Zen first emerged in China, and is now particularly significant in Japan.
Many beliefs and practices are held in common by Zen Buddhists: each monastery is subject to the rule of an abbot.

For more info take a look at these two articles:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

Answer 4

Zen Buddhism is just one of the many forms of Buddhism that have sprung up over the years. I developed from Cha'n Buddhism in China in an attempt to merge some of the teachings of the Tao.

It flurished in Japan and developed in at least the two or three schools that survived today. Soto, Rinzai and Sanbo-Kyodan. It is part of the Mahayana traditon and mostly focuses the pratitioner toward zazen meditation.

Rinzai is known as "Gradual Awakening" where by one uses koans with a teacher to graduallhy open to reality. The most famous of which is "What is Mu?

Soto is known as Sudden Awakening and brings the practition to a sudden dramatic awakeing, much like what I image happened to St. Paul on the road to Tarsus. In the Soto practice the practitioner is directed to "Just Sit." The practice is called "Shikantaza" (excuse me my spelling is off) Koans may be used by more as teaching aids rather than practice points.

Sanbo-Kyodan will use bits of either approach depending on the teacher and student's need.

Other forms like Tibetan are more ritualistic and carry a rich tradition of alternative techniques includnig tantric practices, more heavily oriented to chanting, sutra study.

Some forms of Buddhism like Pure Land devote themselves to chanting Amidha Guddhas name as a technique for losing oneself.

Nichiren Buddhism focuses its advocates on the Lotus Sutra and teaches that just saying the name of the Lotus Sutra over an over again is a enough to freedom.

A good overview of all Buddhism is Donald Mitchell's Introduction to Buddhism. He will give you a socio-political as well as a Dharma history of Buddism as it spread through the world.




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Answer 5

Zen is one type of Buddhism.

Answer 6

zen is a form of buddhism

Answer 7

Zen is a Japanese sect of Buddhism imported from Chinese Cha'an.

Answer 8

Zen is a part of buddhism...
But for sure...Buddishm is not only about Zen...
Tung pu tung?(understand?)

Answer 9

Its just the same religious but from different places of origin...

Answer 10

it is a form of buddhism which originated from japan