what is zen knowledge?

Question

i have to write a philosophy paper on intuition, and one of the subjects I need to deal with is how zen knowledge is intuitive. I'm not exactly sure what zen knowledge is, and how it works in with intuition. any help would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

there are 2 answers for this question:

1. in pop culture, zen knowledge means a perfect or nearly perfect knowledge on the subject. when one is good say at history, he/she answers questions before they are finished, instantly, without thinking it seems. mostly intuition it seems. in the west people call it zen knowledge sometimes. this rather is a skill, which most of people can cultivate dedicating adequate efforts to the matter. yet, since pretty much efforts are required for this kind of skill, few develop it. it's a kind of urban legend that this all is related to zen.

2. in buddhism, zen is one of mahayana buddhism schools. originally the school is called chan, originated in china in shao lin monastery, founder is bodhidharma (damo). zen is how the school is called in japan.

chan per se has not much to do with intuition. like any buddhism school it aims liberation. compared to other schools it rather is less ritualized. term 'chan knowledge' is not one commonly used, so rather is a subject for interpretation.

now, a basic concept on liberation. liberation is an understanding of oneself and the world. it grants expanded perception and understanding of events, and their outcomes, so a liberated person generally produces a more accurate concept on what's going on and the outcomes, hence prepares, hence demonstrates it often via influence on a situation, which often results in a fact that people do not understand how this works and classify this as 'special abilities' of liberated. this generally can be referred as 'chan knowledge' based on 'intuitive perception & action'. as a practitioner i can tell that it's just a simple logic concept, no mystics at all. for example, you sure can go faster riding a bike if you know how to ride than if a bike rides you if you don't know how to ride :)

other matter that might be about intuition and chan is traditional chan riddles called koens. a widely known koen example is this: "we all know well the sound of 2 palm flap. what would be the sound of one palm flap?" answer is very simple - silence. a koen is a riddle to understand oneself. one can liberate instantly via understanding of how it works. it might or might not take thinking, which implies use of intuition. intuition sure can be offered as a solution here, yet this is only half true. one liberated easily solves any koen, given knowledge of cultural background on it - some koens require it. it comes without thinking it appears, intuitively. yet in fact it's that the principle is so simple one might miss the moment when it's used, hence take this moment for something different, like intuition, which brings 'perfect' knowledge or 'chan knowledge' perhaps. again it's the same application of this principle as i mentioned in the previous paragraph.

so, i conclude that your lecturer has his/her own view on the matter and how exactly chan, knowledge and intuition work together. for this matter i can tell that your lecturer is no practitioner and rather a lazy researcher. so, generally to have a good review on the matter you need either to write what the lecturer wants you to write or have a well supported point of otherwise. first is simpler - you need to ask a previous year student on the lecturer's position on the matter. latter is way more complicated for takes studying of many long ancient texts for the matter. if you do wish to go with the latter, i have an unbreakable support point for you: lankavatara sutra, which is the cental text of chan (zen) mention intuition only once in chapter LXIX and refers to it as to a demonstration on understanding oneself, on the way it is instant.

so, intuition and chan (zen) do not have a direct connection. for that matter i anticipate the task you are given is rather reflection of individual perception of your lecturer, who have not studied the subject thoroughly, hence give definite tasks on a matter that he/she does not have definite understanding.

chan is no matter for definition, which is clearly stated in all the relevant texts. word, or any other image, can not express what neither exists nor not exists :) it's a limitation of dualistic perception.

good luck to you with the paper.
Mickael

Answer 2

buddhism originated in india and then travelled out of India, particularly to China and Japan. In each land, where Buddhism reached, the great sages of those society had recreated Buddh in their societies, through sages such as Tao, Zen and the like. In Tibet, they created the Lamas, Coonficious in China and Zen in japan.

Zen is a version of Buddhism origiinated in Japan, and now if you read about their different levels of consiousness, you will be able to write your paper.

Answer 3

The special transmission of Zen is the realization of the Buddha's enlightenment itself, in one's own life, in one's own time.

for more info visit the following url.

http://www.amacord.com/taste/essays/zen.html

And for Zen and Intution visit the following url.

http://www.innerexplorations.com/catew/3.htm

Answer 4

John Webster~ Theres nothing sooner dry than womens tears.

Answer 5

a good philosophy of life bc if you do the right you will have reincarnation & if you do the wronge you have a bad one

Answer 6

"The human mind is dualistic. This means, we are always analyzing, forming opinions, drawing conclusions, comparing, expecting...Basically, thinking too much. Comparison leads to judgement, which leads to the classification of good or bad. Since the mind navigates the body, our heart (intuition) often loses out to this process. This accounts for much of the controversy in the martial arts. Rather than sharing our skills with each other we criticize and challenge one another. We think too much in the wrong way.

What's wrong with thinking, you ask? And how can you think too much? The thinking I refer to is 'fixating', which is not to be confused with focusing. While you are "fixating" you are frozen, your mind has locked on to an idea. And so, this type of thinking during combat is fatal. Intuition and instinct must control your arsenal. The anatomical thought process is far too slow to react to the immediateness of a non-telegraphic attack.

The duality of our mind is epitomized by combat. Our mind - the ego-consciousness - is too concerned with making an impression or controlling the situation. We try to intellectualize something that is completely spontaneous and ever changing. The only way to rise above this futile process is simply to accept it. Unconditionally. That means, empty yourself from the thought of injury or death or the desire to impress or win, and so on.

Enlightenment is often times more attainable when one trains combatively than by any other means. This is why Zen doctrines are used to guide a student. Zen is about action. D.T. Suzuki summed it up best, "Strictly speaking, Zen has no philosophy of its own. Its teaching is concentrated on an intuitive experience...Zen upholds intuition against intellection, for intuition is the more direct way of reaching the Truth." The Truth being the perfect strike, counter, evasion, etc. or personal enlightenment.

The EGO, in its pejorative sense, is responsible for all diseases we are afflicted with during combat. (DISEASE should be read DIS/EASE, meaning, ILL AT EASE.) These diseases are based on the duality of this fixative thought. For example, good/bad, right/wrong, fear/courage, winning/losing, etc.

Our problem is simple. We engage in too much discursive and delusive thought. We fixate on everything and therefore interrupt the natural flow of order. In combat, intellectual deliberations are obvious emotional rhythm breaks. The superior opponent, who fights with directness, economy of motion, and employs the intuitive and instinctive elements of his mind and body will exploit this cessation of flow. To correct this common flaw, it is necessary to purge the mind of all thought during combat. In Zen terms, 'mushin', i.e., empty-mind.
"Thinking is useful in many ways, but there are some occasions when thinking interferes with the work, and you have to leave it behind and let the unconscious come forward. In such cases, you cease to be your conscious master but become an instrument in the hands of the unknown. The unknown has no ego-consciousness and consequently no thought of winning the contest, because it moves at the level of non-duality, where the is neither subject nor object."

Many of the Zen ideas may seem paradoxical to the logical mind. But, perhaps there is more to life than logic. It is linear logic and intellectualizing that clouds true seeing. Buddhist thought tells us that logic should harmonize with life in order to be logical and not vice versa.

With simplicity comes adversity. The simplicity I refer to is the true nature of instinct and intuition. The fighter strives to respond instinctively, intuitively. On this level, his thoughts and actions are organic. They are unpolluted or colored by the many 'diseases' brought on through confrontation. Philosophically everything is perfect. There is perfect perfection and perfect imperfection. Nothing is right or wrong. Everything just is.

This truth gives many students trouble. We fixate on what we believe reality to be. When we stop emotionally coloring our daily experiences, we will experience reality."

""Unlike most styles of spirtuality, Zen does not look for truth beyond the human realm. In offering a concentrated and comprehensive approach to developing the power of Intuition, it shows the importance of self-control in all aspects of existence."

"Confronted with surprise and announcements, ordinary doubt leaves your head spinning. You find yourself swimming in a sea of rumors, impressions, speculation, hearsay, wish lists, and pipe dreams, with a bit of innuendo tossed in. There is nothing to be gained from looking back or playing the blame game... Brooding over the past will not yield useful information. Trying to discover the specific cause for your disappointment by logical thinking quickly reaches a dead end. Instead, consider from the standpoint of intuition what can now be done."

"The Fourth level, knowing or intuitive awareness, is essential for intergrating the other states. It is the cohesive or binding factor that enables the entire process of communication to function smoothly. Intuition sharpens but is not bound by the rules of logic...The importance of opening up intuition is understood in many mystical traditions, but Zen specializes in refining its capacities while diminishingits perils. Intuitive awareness allows you to act-and-react spontaneously, which is crucial for making the transition from structure to anti-structure that can turn a conflictive Confrontation into a productive Encounter. "

An example of Intuition is a young musician asked to play a difficult piece that she had not performed in several years. Recalling the music by heart and with minimal prep time, she evokes all the subtlety and nuance of what she had before with a new depth, and nails the performance with a flair of verve, determination, and spontaneity. This goes beyond skill, training, and rehearsal time to the core of what makes for compelling artistry that everyone in the audience, specialist and non-specialist alike, can recognize and appreciate."

"A monk wants to know what is Prajna (the metaphysical wisdom-intuition of Zen). Not only that , but Mahaprajna, Great or Absolute Wisdom. the whole works. The Master answers without concern:

"The snow is falling fast and all is enveloped in mist." The monk remains silent. The Master asks: "Do you understand?" "No, Master, I do not?" Thereupon the Master composed a verse for him:

Mahaprajna. It is neither raking in nor giving up. If one understand it not, The wind is cold, the snow is falling."