Zen Buddhism

Buddhism originated in India. It came to China in the first century AD. Zen Buddhism was brought to China by the monk Bodhidharma around 520 AD. In Chinese 'Zen' is called 'Ch'an' Buddhism. In Japan it is called Zen Buddhism. The story goes that the Chinese emperor did not find favor in Bodhidharma's teachings. As a result Bodhidharma confined himself to a monastery for a number of years.
It is said that Bodhidharma spent nine years meditating in a cave on Mount Song. It is also said that he spent these nine years facing the wall of the cave.
"Leaving behind the false, return to the true; make no discriminations between self and others. In contemplation, one's mind should be stable and unmoving, like a wall."
- Bodhidharma
The goal of Zen is to realize the mind of the Buddha. That is, to reveal your true self or Buddha Nature. In order to accomplish this goal there is no hard and fast rules. Neither a formulated doctrine or theological process to follow. Rather, Zen Buddhism is a way of life. It does not fit easily into any one category.
Zen is an attitude, a way of life. In fact, all Buddhism is a way of life when practiced like it is meant. Zen is the Japanese word translated from the Sanskrit word dhyana. The Pali word is jhana. Zen is translated to english as meditation. In China the word for Zen is Ch'an'. Ch'an' and Zen are the same.
"Enlightenment comes from practice, thus enlightenment is limitless; Practice comes from enlightenment, thus practice has no beginning."
- Dogen Zenji
Zen is rooted in the concept of non-thinking. No words or theory can explain the personal liberation that is attainable. Zen uses riddles or koans, though, to help the practitioner to attain nirvana or enlightenment.
I believe that it is important to understand that the mind is not empty or blank in the sense that it is not-capable. It is actually alert and clear at its finest. This is what we are trying to attain.
"When we hit our two hands together, we hear a clap. Now, listen to the sound of one hand clapping."
- Hakuin Zenji
Read more about Zen with the chapter links below.

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1) Schools of Zen Buddhism

2) What is Zen?

3) What is Za-zen Meditation?

4) Zen Quotes (Koans).END=OM MANI PADME HUM.( 3 TIMES ).RESEARCH TIBET DHARMA BY VENERABLE GESHE TESERING TASHI.VIETNAMESE TIBET NUN.( NHA TRANG ).29/1/2012.