Changes

*''Japanese'': 禅 ''(zen)'', 禅宗 ''(zen shuu)''

*''Japanese/Chinese'': 禅 ''(zen / chán)'', 禅宗 ''(zen shuu / chánzōng)''

Zen is one of the most prominent sects of [[Buddhism]] in Japan. It is distinguished by its rejection (to a large extent) of sacred texts, doctrine & dogma, the Buddhist pantheon, and discussion of heavens and hells, emphasizing instead meditative and intellectual practices towards the pursuit of personal enlightenment.

Zen (from the Sanskrit ''dhyan'', meaning "meditation")<ref>Via the Chinese, ''chán''. Francis DK Ching, ''A Global History of Architecture'', Second Edition. John Wiley & Sons (2011), 444.</ref> is one of the most prominent sects of [[Buddhism]] in Japan. It is distinguished by its rejection (to a large extent) of sacred texts, doctrine & dogma, the Buddhist pantheon, and discussion of heavens and hells, emphasizing instead meditative and intellectual practices towards the pursuit of personal enlightenment.

Though Zen is among the chief things stereotypically associated with Japan among Westerners, within Japan, Zen has traditionally been considered a more strongly Chinese - that is, a less Japanized - form of Buddhism. Zen temples generally have more strongly Chinese architectural styles, stone floors into which one enters with shoes on, and are often furnished with chairs, in contrast to Japanese temples of other sects, where one typically removes one's shoes before stepping up onto bare wooden verandas, and sitting on [[tatami]]-covered floors. Zen temples were also traditionally centers of Chinese cultural practices and Chinese studies, and it was through Zen that [[Zhu Xi]] [[Neo-Confucianism]], as well as certain forms of [[tea]] and [[tea ceremony]], painting, and calligraphy were introduced and promoted. Zen monks also played a prominent role in foreign relations, especially during the [[Muromachi period]], both as diplomatic envoys and as foreign policy advisors to the shoguns.

Though Zen is among the chief things stereotypically associated with Japan among Westerners, within Japan, Zen has traditionally been considered a more strongly Chinese - that is, a less Japanized - form of Buddhism. Zen temples generally have more strongly Chinese architectural styles, stone floors into which one enters with shoes on, and are often furnished with chairs, in contrast to Japanese temples of other sects, where one typically removes one's shoes before stepping up onto bare wooden verandas, and sitting on [[tatami]]-covered floors. Zen temples were also traditionally centers of Chinese cultural practices and Chinese studies, and it was through Zen that [[Zhu Xi]] [[Neo-Confucianism]], as well as certain forms of [[tea]] and [[tea ceremony]], painting, and calligraphy were introduced and promoted. Zen monks also played a prominent role in foreign relations, especially during the [[Muromachi period]], both as diplomatic envoys and as foreign policy advisors to the shoguns.

==Origins==

==Origins==

The Indian monk [[Bodhidharma]], commonly known as Daruma in Japan, is considered the first patriarch of Zen.

The Indian monk [[Bodhidharma]], commonly known as Daruma in Japan, who introduced the school to China in the 6th century, is considered the first patriarch of Zen. However, he is also considered the twenty-eighth generation down from Maha Kashyapa, a direct disciple of [[Shakamuni|the historical Buddha]], known for being the only one to grasp the true significance of a lecture given by the Buddha wordlessly, by simply holding up a flower. Such a legend reflects Zen's emphasis on teacher-student relationships, and understandings beyond the power of words to describe them; in Zen, knowledge is passed on from master to disciple, and texts are not revered as in other sects.

The Chinese monk [[Huineng]] ([[638]]-[[713]]) is considered the sixth patriarch. By the end of the 8th century, Zen (C: ''Chán'') had gained a widespread following among Chinese elites.

The Chinese monk [[Huineng]] ([[638]]-[[713]]) is considered the sixth patriarch. By the end of the 8th century, Chán Buddhism had gained a widespread following among Chinese elites.

==Introduction and Development of Zen in Japan==

==Introduction and Development of Zen in Japan==

Chán Buddhism reached the heights of its popularity in China during the [[Southern Song Dynasty]] ([[1127]]-[[1279]]), and was first introduced to Japan at that time. The Japanese monk [[Eisai]], who traveled to China in [[1168]] and again in [[1187]], first introduced [[Rinzai]] Zen (C: ''Línjì Chán'') to Japan in [[1191]], along with powdered tea. Establishing himself first in [[Kamakura]], his teachings included, notably, the introduction of the concept of the ''[[koan|kôan]]'', a riddle, often unanswerable, which forces the adept to think outside of normal modes of thought, potentially in this way discovering enlightenment. Encountering difficulty in having these new, heterodox, Zen ideas accepted in Kyoto, Eisai accommodated some elements from [[Tendai]] and [[Shingon]] teachings into his school's Zen practice.<ref name=schiro81>Conrad Schirokauer, David Lurie, and Suzanne Gay, ''A Brief History of Japanese Civilization'', Wadsworth Cengage (2013), 81.</ref> A few decades later, in the 1220s, the Japanese monk [[Dogen|Dôgen]] returned from China to introduce [[Soto Zen|Sôtô Zen]] (C: ''Cáodòng Chán''), a school which focused more chiefly on ''[[zazen]]'' meditation. Unlike Eisai, who promoted his school in the major political centers, Dôgen retreated to the mountains, establishing his temple of [[Eihei-ji]] in a remote area of [[Echizen province]].

 

Thus Chán Buddhism reached the heights of its popularity in China during the [[Southern Song Dynasty]] ([[1127]]-[[1279]]), and was first introduced to Japan at that time. The Japanese monk [[Eisai]], who traveled to China in [[1168]] and again in [[1187]], first introduced [[Rinzai]] Zen (C: ''Línjì Chán'') to Japan in [[1191]], along with powdered tea. Establishing himself first in [[Kamakura]], his teachings included, notably, the introduction of the concept of the ''[[koan|kôan]]'', a riddle, often unanswerable, which forces the adept to think outside of normal modes of thought, potentially in this way discovering enlightenment. Encountering difficulty in having these new, heterodox, Zen ideas accepted in Kyoto, Eisai accommodated some elements from [[Tendai]] and [[Shingon]] teachings into his school's Zen practice.<ref name=schiro81>Conrad Schirokauer, David Lurie, and Suzanne Gay, ''A Brief History of Japanese Civilization'', Wadsworth Cengage (2013), 81.</ref> A few decades later, in the 1220s, the Japanese monk [[Dogen|Dôgen]] returned from China to introduce [[Soto Zen|Sôtô Zen]] (C: ''Cáodòng Chán''), a school which focused more chiefly on ''[[zazen]]'' meditation. Unlike Eisai, who promoted his school in the major political centers, Dôgen retreated to the mountains, establishing his temple of [[Eihei-ji]] in a remote area of [[Echizen province]].

Rinzai Zen was strongly patronized by the [[Hojo clan (Hojo Regents)|Hôjô clan]] during the [[Kamakura period]]; many of the most prominent Zen temples in [[Kamakura]] have a connection to the Hôjô. [[Kencho-ji|Kenchô-ji]] was the first temple to be established in Japan as a Zen temple,<ref>It is not the first Zen temple to be established in the country, temples founded under a different sect having previously been converted to Zen use.</ref> being founded in [[1253]] by the [[Song Dynasty]] monk [[Lanxi Daolong]], who was invited by [[Hojo Tokiyori|Hôjô Tokiyori]] for that purpose. Lanxi Daolong then became the first monk to be recognized as a Zen master by a Japanese emperor, and Kenchô-ji is regarded as the first among the Five Mountains (Five Zen Temples) of Kamakura (''[[Kamakura Gosan]]'').<ref>Plaques on-site at Kenchô-ji; and "[http://www.kamakura-burabura.com/meisyokitakamakurakentyouji.htm Kenchô-ji]." Kamakura-Burabura.com　鎌倉ぶらぶら.</ref>

Rinzai Zen was strongly patronized by the [[Hojo clan (Hojo Regents)|Hôjô clan]] during the [[Kamakura period]]; many of the most prominent Zen temples in [[Kamakura]] have a connection to the Hôjô. [[Kencho-ji|Kenchô-ji]] was the first temple to be established in Japan as a Zen temple,<ref>It is not the first Zen temple to be established in the country, temples founded under a different sect having previously been converted to Zen use.</ref> being founded in [[1253]] by the [[Song Dynasty]] monk [[Lanxi Daolong]], who was invited by [[Hojo Tokiyori|Hôjô Tokiyori]] for that purpose. Lanxi Daolong then became the first monk to be recognized as a Zen master by a Japanese emperor, and Kenchô-ji is regarded as the first among the Five Mountains (Five Zen Temples) of Kamakura (''[[Kamakura Gosan]]'').<ref>Plaques on-site at Kenchô-ji; and "[http://www.kamakura-burabura.com/meisyokitakamakurakentyouji.htm Kenchô-ji]." Kamakura-Burabura.com　鎌倉ぶらぶら.</ref>

==References==

==References==

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