That's how I fell in love with Zen

Author: Zhu Xiuping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: What is Zen? Since the introduction of Buddhism from India to China, Chinese Buddhists have been engaged with Zen. As a religious content, Zen refers to a specific religious practice in ancient Indian religious philosophy, meaning "meditation," specifically referring to a religious practice of maintaining one's mind and meditating deeply. After Zen entered China, it formed a nationalized sect—Zen Buddhism—during the Sui and Tang dynasties. Zen Buddhism permeated the Chinese understanding of Zen, exhibiting a clear anti-traditional tendency. It believed that Zen practice did not necessarily require a fixed procedure; everyday activities like eating, sleeping, fetching water, and chopping wood could be Zen, and even a word or a gesture could represent Zen, giving rise to numerous Zen schools. Zen is more of a unique way of thinking than a belief. To truly understand the essence of Zen, enlightenment is the only path. Zen enlightenment is a direct grasp of the nature of things. It generally does not rely on analytical thinking to judge or reason about things but instead communicates directly with the essence of external objects through individual sensory experiences. Therefore, Zen enlightenment transcends knowledge and has no fixed rules—it is a convenient gateway to understanding. As for how to enter this gateway, it can only be done by oneself, as fish drink water and know its temperature. Zen is more of a life wisdom than a religion. Embodying Eastern wisdom, Zen Buddhism, with its focus on individual life and the mind, and its pursuit of a genuine life, has increasingly attracted interest and appreciation. Zen faces reality while transcending it. It is both worldly and transcendent. It achieves inner transcendence in the worldly realm, guiding individuals to become free travelers in the world through practice. Zen affirms reason while transcending it. It does not deny the role of reason in human cognition but places greater emphasis on the significance of enlightenment in grasping the world and life. It believes that human reason can only grant knowledge, while enlightenment grants great wisdom. Zen transcends the complexities of the human world from a perspective of wisdom, bringing the relationship between self and others back to a natural and harmonious state. Zen also instills in our hearts a sense of great compassion and kindness, urging us to take responsibility and fulfill obligations in life, promoting the virtuous aspects of human nature while discarding its selfishness. Zen is endless to speak of. Zen Buddhism has always prided itself on the slogan "not relying on words, transmitting the heart to the heart," urging people to transcend language and words and grasp the truth of the universe and life through various real existences. However, "without words, there is no transmission," and outstanding Zen masters throughout the generations have left behind convenient teaching methods, mostly in the form of Zen stories, anecdotes, sayings, and cases. Now, before the readers is such a popular collection of Zen stories. The editor of this book has selected from a vast amount of literature both classic and modernly enlightening stories, guiding people to enter the lives of Zen masters engaged in witty exchanges, sharp rebukes, and playful interactions with the world. The Zen masters we encounter here are no longer ascetics with withered bodies and stagnant minds amidst morning bells and evening drums by ancient Buddha lamps, but rather free-spirited, transcendent sages. Their extraordinary and unparalleled brilliant words leave us in awe and make us reflect again and again. And their profound wisdom that transcends the world is beyond reach yet deeply inspiring. The illustrations by Ms. Qian Haiyan are also a highlight of this book. As Mr. Yu Qiujiu once praised: her comic-style brushwork is simple and clean, with a clever and unrestrained intent. The combination of text and illustrations leaves space for contemplation, filled with Zen essence, making one awaken to enlightenment amidst simplicity. In a world overflowing with material desires, modern people have lost their way. When you are troubled by the myriad worries of life, please read some Zen stories and follow the call of Zen, living by its name. As long as the light of Zen wisdom shines in your heart, you will become open-minded and unrestrained, living freely and effortlessly. Zen is indeed a special key to understanding real life.