Zen Buddhist Fundamentals

Zen and Mahayana Buddhism

Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China during the Tang dynasty as the Chan School, and later became Japanese Zen.  Zen emphasizes meditation practice, direct insight into one’s own true nature (kenshō), and the personal expression of this insight in daily life for the benefit of others.  Zen favors direct understanding through zazen (seated meditation) and interaction with a master (Rōshi).  With an emphasis on experiencing Buddha-nature, intrinsic enlightenment, and sudden awakening, Zen teaching grounds itself within the fundamentals Mahayana Buddhism.

The Four Noble Truths

Life is suffering.
The origin of suffering is attachment.
The cessation of suffering is attainable.
There is a path to the cessation of suffering.

The Eightfold Path

Wisdom Development:
Right Understanding
Right Intention

Ethical Conduct Development:
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood

Mental Development:
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

The Six Paramitas

Dana Paramita – Perfection of Generosity
Sila Paramita – Perfection of Morality
Ksanti Paramita – Perfection of Patience
Virya Paramita – Perfection of Energy
Dhyana Paramita – Perfection of Meditation
Prajna Paramita – Perfection of Wisdom

The Four Immeasurable

Loving-kindness or benevolence (maitri)
Compassion (karuna)
Empathetic joy (mudita) – the pleasure that comes from delighting in the well-being of others
Equanimity (upekkha)

The Five Remembrances

I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.
I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape ill health.
I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change.
There is no way to escape being separated from them. My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand.