Soto School of Zen Buddhism
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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of reflecting on a koan?

  • To change one's experience of the world (correct)
  • To analyze Buddhist scriptures
  • To memorize ancient teachings
  • To understand the history of Buddhism
  • What does the koan 'out of nowhere, the mind comes forth' suggest?

  • One can control every thought that arises
  • Our minds are always empty of thoughts
  • Meditation is the only way to think clearly
  • Thoughts often arise without conscious effort (correct)
  • How did D.T.Suzuki contribute to the popularization of Zen Buddhism in the West?

  • By founding a Zen monastery in Japan
  • By teaching at Columbia University and influencing Western thought (correct)
  • By translating ancient Buddhist texts into English
  • By promoting intensive meditation retreats in Europe
  • What distinguishes Pure Land Buddhism (Jodo) from Zen Buddhism?

    <p>The requirement to recite Nembutsu as a practice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did samurai find Pure Land Buddhism appealing?

    <p>For the ease of use and lack of intense study or meditation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main characteristic of Dual Shinto?

    <p>Worship of nature, ancestors, and unseen things combined with Buddhist meditation practices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Suzuki's teachings at Columbia University impact the Western understanding of Buddhism?

    <p>By attracting more Western individuals to travel to India and Japan</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes Pure Land Buddhism from Rinzai schools of Zen Buddhism?

    <p>The practice of reciting Nembutsu vs. studying koans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did some individuals find Pure Land Buddhism more accessible than Zen Buddhism?

    <p>Zen's emphasis on intense meditation practices was intimidating to some individuals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the koan 'out of nowhere, the mind comes forth' suggest?

    <p>One's thoughts appear spontaneously without conscious effort.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did D.T. Suzuki contribute to the popularization of Zen Buddhism in the West?

    <p>By writing influential books and teachings about Zen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes Pure Land Buddhism (Jodo) from Zen Buddhism?

    <p>Jodo practitioners recite Nembutsu for awakening.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did some samurai find Pure Land Buddhism appealing?

    <p>For its ease of use and lack of strict instruction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Dual Shinto?

    <p>The worship of nature, ancestors, and unseen things combined with Buddhist meditation techniques.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did many individuals find Pure Land Buddhism more accessible than Zen Buddhism?

    <p>Due to its simplicity and the recitation of Nembutsu for sudden awakening.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Out of nowhere, the mind comes forth' is a nod to what concept?

    <p>The spontaneous appearance of thoughts without effort.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Save me, Amina Buddha' is a phrase associated with which Buddhist sect?

    <p>'Pure Land' Buddhism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Zen Buddhism Definition

    • Zen Buddhism is a form of meditation that focuses on natural intuition, allowing individuals to understand their religion fully through direct experience.
    • It has the ability to permeate into other religions, making it a sought-after practice for Christians and members of other religions.

    Origins of Zen Buddhism

    • Zen Buddhism began with the awakening of Shakyamuni Buddha in the 5th century BCE.
    • The practice developed in India for over a thousand years before being brought to China by a visiting monk.
    • In China, Mahayana Buddhism was influenced by Taoist thought, emphasizing the inherent duality in all things.
    • The Mahayana teachings spread throughout China during the Tang dynasty's golden age, focusing on meditation practice, work, and language.

    Zen in Japan

    • Zen Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the 12th century by the monk Eisai, who traveled to China and studied at the Linzai school.
    • Eisai developed his own school in Japan, incorporating the key Buddhist beliefs: existence is suffering, suffering has a cause, and the true cessation of suffering is Nirvana.
    • Zen Buddhism in Japan was influenced by Taoism and Confucianism, emphasizing the importance of personal ethics and morality.

    Rinzai School

    • The Rinzai school was founded by Eisai in Japan, emphasizing abrupt awakenings and transcendence.
    • Common practices include shouts (mantras) or blows delivered by the master, question and answer sessions, and meditations upon paradoxical questions.
    • Members of the Rinzai school create Juzu necklaces, used for mindful and purposeful counting.

    Soto School

    • The Soto school was founded by Dogen in Japan, emphasizing the spiritual and the idea that everyone is a Buddha and can be awakened.
    • Soto is also known as "farmer Zen" due to its focus on slow progression and traditional Indian and Chinese meditative practices.
    • The Soto Zen crest is a gentian flower.

    Zen Buddhism Beliefs

    • The goal of Zen Buddhism is to attain enlightenment and achieve Nirvana, where one no longer experiences suffering.
    • Zen teaches that every one thing is connected in a universal balance, and there is no true self, only an illusion.
    • Koans are used to convey the paradoxical nature of existence, prompting individuals to see past the ego-consciousness and understand the world on a more experiential basis.

    Koans

    • Koans are repeated phrases used to enlighten the individual, conveying the paradoxical nature of existence.
    • The Rinzai school uses koans extensively, requiring disciples to be familiar with up to 1700 koans.
    • Examples of koans include "if you see the Buddha, kill him" and "what do you call the world?"

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    Description

    Learn about the Soto school of Zen Buddhism, founded by Dogen in Japan in the 13th century. Discover how Soto emphasizes the spiritual and teaches that everyone is a Buddha and can be awakened. Explore how Soto differs from Rinzai Zen and is often referred to as 'farmer Zen' for its practical and wholesome approach.

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