Zen Buddhism

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Zen Buddhism. It describes the background of Zen Buddhism, its practices and the significance of its rituals. The paper discusses facts and historical proof of Zen Buddhism that is spread around the world and presents evidence of significant personalities. The paper briefly looks at how Zen Buddhism differs from other religions that are found today.

Table of Contents:
Background Information
Characteristics
Practices
Rituals
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The Zen Buddhism could be described as personal enlightenment, the individual's advance through knowledge and meditation. There are some clear differences as compared to other religions and beliefs, since the Zen Buddhism does not imply the idea of divinity. It is up to the individual to evolve both from the cultural and spiritual points of view. By bonding with a teacher, the disciple learns to meditate, conduct a proper life - in accordance with the morality, kindness and openness principles. In time, the disciple will become a teacher himself, and in this way the cultural and spiritual heritage will be transmitted. A trend observed in the present days is that the Zen belief captures new followers even from the Western societies, meaning that people are able to cross over structural differences and get to the hidden and profound fundament."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cheng, Z/C Phil of Mind, p.3
• Suzuki, D.T. "Early Memories" in The Training of the Zen Buddhist Monk (1965) New York: University Books)
• Hsueh-li Cheng, "Zen and Confucian Philosophy of Mind," November 2003, 1-18
• John Daido. "Symbol and Symbolized." Mountain Record: The Zen Practitioner's Journal, XXV, No. 2 (2007);
• Maspero, Henri. Translated by Frank A. Kierman, Jr. Taoism and Chinese Religion. pg 46. University of Massachusetts, 1981

More papers on Zen Buddhism:

• Term Paper # 121225 : "Zen Buddhism"
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• Analytical Essay # 138309 : "Emptiness in Ch'an/Zen Buddhism"
• Term Paper # 131867 : "Zen Buddhism - An Introduction for Westerners"

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