Zen

I have been fascinated with Zen for some time now. Zen has its roots in India. The word "Zen" is from the Sanskrit word "Dhyana", meaning "Meditation". I have read quite a lot on the subject. But, then again, Zen cannot be mastered by mere reading. Zen Teachings are like a finger pointing at the moon. The finger isn't the moon. The teachings aren't Zen. It has been told that Zen teachings can be grasped only when they're cast aside. Zen cannot be called a religion. Neither can it be classified as philosophy. It cannot be subjected to logical reasoning. Rather Zen Koans attempt to break logic and thinking and take the man to the realm of emptiness, nothingness or Tabula Rasa. Once this is achieved, the Zen Monk starts on his long and ardous journey towards Enlightenment.

Two books on Zen that I read and enjoyed are Zen In The Art Of Archery and The Method Of Zen both by the German Philosopher Eugen Herrigel.

There are numerous Zen stories/anecdotes that explain the essence of Zen. Pupils in a Zen Monastery are made to realise Satori or Enlightenment through Zen Riddles or Koans. I will be writing more about Zen Koans in my subseqent posts.

A Zen Story:



A Professor came to a Zen Master to learn about Zen. The Master served him tea. He poured tea into the Professor's cup and even when the cup as full he kept on pouring. The puzzled Professor exclaimed: "Stop! Stop! No more can go into the cup." The Master said: "The cup cannot take any more unless I empty it first. Like the cup, you are full of your ideas. How can I teach you Zen unless you first empty your mind?"

- From "One Hand Clapping - A collection of Zen Stories"



Above is a Zen Painting of a Horse by Kasumi Bunsho (1905-1998).