Zen Secret_ Emptiness of Mind (MUST WATCH)
:-1 THE PAST FEW DECADES THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASING INTEREST
in Zen, not confined only to students of Asian philosophy. The peculiar
fascination for minds of Zen lies in the fact that it is markedly different
from any other form of Buddhism, one might even say from any other form
of conventional religion or philosophy.
In its methods of instruction Zen is unique. It di:;penses with all
forms of theorizing, doctrinal instruction and strict formality; these arc
treated as mere symbols of wisdom. There is a radiCal departure from the
old pattern of monkish brotherhood, whether Christian or anything else,
in that the Zen monks have not always engaged in ofiering prayers, doing
acts of penance or performing other so-called deeds of piety nor in studying
canonical books. For Zen is founded on practice and on an intimate, per-
sonal experience of reality, a vigorous attempt to come into direct contact
with the truth itself without allowing theories and symbols to stand between
th knower and the known.
This paper is concerned only with the concept of emptiness (Sanskrit,
sunyata) in Zen Buddhism. The interest is based on the belief that only
an understanding of this doctrine will give a clue as to what Zen itself is.
Although there are many schools of Buddhism, each with something
different to otTer, all generally agree on a few general concepts deemed
fundamental to Buddhism.! These include belief in the theory of Karma
translated to mean not only action but also includes what all that an indi-
vidual being speaks and thinks. According to this theory all the phenomena
of the universe or of the universe of an individual sentient being arc the
manifestations of his mind. Whenever he acts, speaks or even thinks, his
mind is doing something. and that something must produce results, no matter
how far in the future. Belief in this theory is the basis for belief in another
..!octrinc -the doctrine of reincarnation, according to which past Karma
will determine the form of future existence. The present life of a sentient
'='eing is only one aspect in this whole process. Death is not the end of his
being. It is only another aspect of the process. What an individual is in this
;J
:-1 THE PAST FEW DECADES THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASING INTEREST
in Zen, not confined only to students of Asian philosophy. The peculiar
fascination for minds of Zen lies in the fact that it is markedly different
from any other form of Buddhism, one might even say from any other form
of conventional religion or philosophy.
In its methods of instruction Zen is unique. It di:;penses with all
forms of theorizing, doctrinal instruction and strict formality; these arc
treated as mere symbols of wisdom. There is a radiCal departure from the
old pattern of monkish brotherhood, whether Christian or anything else,
in that the Zen monks have not always engaged in ofiering prayers, doing
acts of penance or performing other so-called deeds of piety nor in studying
canonical books. For Zen is founded on practice and on an intimate, per-
sonal experience of reality, a vigorous attempt to come into direct contact
with the truth itself without allowing theories and symbols to stand between
th knower and the known.
This paper is concerned only with the concept of emptiness (Sanskrit,
sunyata) in Zen Buddhism. The interest is based on the belief that only
an understanding of this doctrine will give a clue as to what Zen itself is.
Although there are many schools of Buddhism, each with something
different to otTer, all generally agree on a few general concepts deemed
fundamental to Buddhism.! These include belief in the theory of Karma
translated to mean not only action but also includes what all that an indi-
vidual being speaks and thinks. According to this theory all the phenomena
of the universe or of the universe of an individual sentient being arc the
manifestations of his mind. Whenever he acts, speaks or even thinks, his
mind is doing something. and that something must produce results, no matter
how far in the future. Belief in this theory is the basis for belief in another
..!octrinc -the doctrine of reincarnation, according to which past Karma
will determine the form of future existence. The present life of a sentient
'='eing is only one aspect in this whole process. Death is not the end of his
being. It is only another aspect of the process. What an individual is in this
;J
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