Реферат: Zen Buddhism Essay Research Paper Zen Buddhism

Buddhist, which is to achieve peace of mind despite external turmoil ( Archer ninety-six).

One way to reach enlightenment is through meditation. Zaren is sitting in meditative

absorption as the shortest yet most steep way to reaching enlightenment (Zen 233). The

Buddhists stressed the fact that existence is painful. They believed that suffering was a

result of false human attachments to things that were impertinent, “including the

attachment to the false notion of self or ‘I’(DailyZen).” They said that, ” the conditions

that make an individual are precisely those that also give rise to suffering. Individuality

involves limitation; limitation ends in suffering (Buddhism eighty-six).” They taught that

ridding themselves of these attachments they could end suffering (DailyZen). ” This pure

Mind, the source of everything, Shines forever and on all with the brilliance Of its own

perception… If you students of the Way desire knowledge of this great mystery, Only

avoid attachment to any single thing beyond Mind.-Huang Po (DailyZen).”

As well with the philosophical side of the teachings were the basics of Guidance and

ethics. “Buddhist philosophy is both a system of thought and a set of ethical norms

(Buddhism eighty-six).” It offers practical guidance in everyday social affairs.

Socially, the Buddhists have often been thrown into the political arena. Due to

the nature of politics, where originally, “in Vietnam, the Buddhist Community was not

politically activated until it was mistreated (Brittanica ninety-two), “the Buddhists have

been divided into two groups. There is the moderate group that was led by Thich Tri

Quang, that claimed political neutrality, but any of their movements for peace were seen

as a weakness in the face of communism by the government of Saigon. And there are the

militant Buddhists, who support upheavals. One such incident of upheaval was in 1963

when ” the government (of Vietnam) forbade the flying of the Buddhist flag during the

May eighth celebration of Buddha’s birthday (Britanica ninety-two). “A riot erupted by

Buddhists against their cruel treatment, but it was it was put down by heavily armed

guards. Not only did the government serve as a political persuader for the Buddhists, but

the Roman Catholic Church was excessively partisan against the Buddhists, and the Ngo

Dinn Diem family had an anti-Buddhist policy. The militant Buddhists also organized a

coup against the Diem regime on November first, 1962, but it too was put down. The