Buddhist teachings according to Korean Zen (Seon) and Seon Master Daehaeng: Buddha-Dharma encompases all of life; dying three times; One Mind
Dharma, Zen • Chan • Seon
Seon Master Daehaeng taught people to entrust everything that confronts them to their inherent foundation. She taught people to have faith and let go. Having faith in your inherent nature, your root, and your foundation is the main ...
Song of Enlightenment by Master Yonglia — going beyond all dualisms, theories, names, forms, preferences and aversions.
Zen • Chan • Seon
Song of Enlightenment[1]— Commentary The Song of Enlightenment is a concise treatise of about 1800 words, written in literary verse by Master Yongjia (Yōka Genkaku, in Japanese)[2]. It is a long poem, somewhat difficult to understand, yet filled ...
Korean Seon Buddhism: the thriving and profound tradition, history and practices of Seon Buddhists
Buddhist Practices, Zen • Chan • Seon
The resonating sound of the Korean moktak is iconic of the beautiful practices of Korean Buddhism. Although the wooden Moktak is similar to the Mokugyo Japanese fish drum — there are subtle differences, just as there are subtle ...
Six ways to focus the mind: Metta, mindfulness, breath, progressive, transcendental, or Zazen
Meditation, Zen • Chan • Seon
Our society is rife with stress, competition, fear, and commercialism – yet we're at a time when spirituality has become a buzzword. On one hand, there’s definitely an increased need for spiritualism in a stressful environment, but there ...
Chan Buddhism – the “Flower Sermon” and the profound roots of Chan or Zen — the open hearted path
Zen • Chan • Seon
To understand the origins of Chan or Zen Buddhism, we have to go back to the "Flower Sermon." This sermon, given by the Buddha himself, is at the heart of Chan — also known as Zen in Japan ...
The Gateless Gate and the door of Mu!: “Does a dog have Buddha Nature?” and other breakthrough koan riddles
Zen • Chan • Seon
The Gateless Gate (or Barrier) is a compilation of 48 Zen koans. Koans are paradoxical, puzzling riddles, statements, or even short pieces of prose that are a fixture in Zen Buddhism; they’re meant to entice those who encounter ...
Zazen is “good for nothing” — the journey to Enlightenment starts with “just sitting” — and it’s good for your health, stress or anxiety (studies)
Meditation, Mindfulness, Zen • Chan • Seon
Zazen is a type of meditation that is central to Zen Buddhism, and first taught by Shakyamuni Buddha as an insight practice — and it's good for nothing! Just sit. That is all. Don't get us wrong, it's ...
Dogen, Satori, and the personal experience of enlightenment in Soto Zen: impermanence, emptiness, Zazen and “Being Time”
Zen • Chan • Seon
Soto Zen is virtually synonymous with Zazen and Mindfulness — especially uji (有時) translated as "Being Time." [For more on "Uji" see section below.] Soto Zen is a far-reaching, profound, and ancient path — with a particular focus ...
Bodhidharma – The Life of the legendary Da Mo, founder of Shaolin: an epic journey from India to China
Zen • Chan • Seon
There is no debate that Bodhidharma is an inspiring and towering presence in Mahayana Buddhism and the mystery of Shaolin. The life of the legendary monk Bodhidharma does have many facets that are subject to debate; based on ...
Buddhism has Nothing to do with Nihilism and everything to do with Experiencing; Why “Emptiness” and “Nothingness” are poor translations of Shunyata
Dharma, Zen • Chan • Seon
Emptiness, Nothingness or Voidness, as English translations for Shunyata are unfortunate — and entirely misleading. To paraphrase the Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh: "Emptiness means empty of self — but in the fullness of everything else... it is ...
Emptiness and Shunyata: What the Teachers Say About Emptiness: Removing “Lazy Nihilism” and “How Deep the Rabbit Hole goes”
Dharma, Mahayana, Scientific Buddhist, Teachers, Vajrayana, What the Buddhist Teachers Say, Zen • Chan • Seon
What do big moons, lazy nihilists and rabbit holes have to do with Shunyata? Yesterday I read a feature on Space.com which became the inspiration of this feature: "The 'Big Moon' Illusion May All Be in Your Head," by ...
Visualization Activates the Mind; Mindfulness Stills the Mind — Which is Right for Your Buddhist Practice?
Meditation, Mindfulness, Vajrayana, Zen • Chan • Seon
The great Lama Yeshe said: "Our problem is that inside us there is a mind going, 'Impossible, impossible, impossible. I can't, I can't, I can't, I can't' ... Human beings have great potential; they can do anything. The ...