Big Idea, Big Stupid, Big Realization By Dosho Port of Nebraska Zen Center In a letter written by Hakuin in 1734 (Complete Plum Blossoms in a Thicket of Thorn, “187. To Layman Ishii”), he makes a powerful point about our practice, colorfully stated, “While you are engaged in practice, if anyone […]
Zen Buddhism
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Zen Master Hakuin Ekaku Art historians have taken an interest in Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769) in recent years. The old Zen master’s ink brush paintings and calligraphy are prized today for their freshness and vibrancy. But even without the paintings, Hakuin’s impact on Japanese Zen is incalculable. He reformed the Rinzai Zen school. […]
Zen Practice in Cultivation What is Ch’an (Zen) Ch’an Buddhism is the core of Buddhism. Once, after a sermon, Gautama Buddha (Shakyamuni) held up a flower before the assembly and the only person who understood the profound meaning of this gesture was Mahakasypa; he responded with a smile. Subsequently, the […]
The term Zen, or Chan, means meditation. Zen stories are mostly ancient words and deeds of Zen masters. In Zen Buddhism, enlightenment is not any far-fetched goal to be attained but moment-to-moment awareness and awakening while doing the most mundane tasks in daily life. Short and humorous, these stories are […]
