Trying to explain or define Zen Buddhism, by reducing it to a book, to a few definitions, or to a website is illusion. Instead, it freezes Zen in time and space, thereby weakening its meaning.

Defining Zen is like trying to describe the taste of honey to someone who has never tasted it before. You can try to explain the texture and scent of honey, or you can try to compare and correlate it with similar foods. However, honey is honey! As long as you have not tasted it, you are in the illusion of what honey is.

The same goes with Zen, because Zen Buddhism is a practice that needs to be experienced, not a concept that you can intellectualize or understand with your brain. The information that we'll give here won't cover all of what of Zen is, but is a starting point to the Zen experience.

Zen Buddhism is, first and foremost, a practice that was uninterruptedly transmitted from master to disciple, and that goes back to the spiritual awakening (Satori in Japanese) of a man named Siddharta Gautama (Shakyamuni Gotama in Japanese) - The Buddha- 2500 years ago in India.

Zen is Zazen or Zen meditation (za meaning sitting, and Zen meaning meditation in Japanese), or seated meditation. That is, it is a way of vigilance and self-discovery which is practiced while sitting on a cushion. It is the experience of living from moment to moment, in the here and now.

Zazen is an attitude of spiritual awakening, which when practiced, can become the source from which all the actions of daily life flow- eating, sleeping, breathing, walking, working, talking, thinking, and so on.

Zen Buddhism is not a theory, an idea, or a piece of knowledge. It is not a belief, a dogma, or a religion; but rather, it is a practical experience. We cannot intellectually grasp Zen, because human intelligence and wisdom is too limited- the dojo (the hall where Zazen is practiced) is different from the university.

Zen is not a moral teaching, and as it is without dogma, it does not require one to believe in anything. A true spiritual path does not tell people what to believe in, rather it shows them how to think; or, in the case of Zen- what not to think.

Zen Buddhism also rejects metaphysical theories and rituals, and focuses entirely on the practice of Zazen. Zen is very simple. It is so simple, in fact, that it's very difficult to grasp.

In the silence of the dojo, simply sit down, stop moving, and let go your thoughts. Focus just on your Zazen posture and your breathing. Keep your back straight. Let your ego and your unconscious mind melt away, merge with the universe. This is Zen.

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ZEN BUDDHISM | What is Zen Buddhism? What is Zen meditation?

ZEN GARLAND A COMMUNITY FOR ZEN A welcoming community hosting daily Zen mediation, classes, workshops, retreats, and spiritual guidance, different locations in the US and Germany

ZEN GARLAND ZEN EDUCATION offering paths in spiritual development, spiritual activism for social justice, teaching Zen, and ordination tracks

ZEN GARLAND SOCIAL ACTION PROJECTS assisting individuals and communities develop the skills and resources they need to help themselves

ZEN GARLANDS SANCTUARY working together on purpose, values, practices, liturgy, standards and certifications for training and empowerments,residential programs

Zen Garland is created to help fulfill our vows to awaken all creation, and on Roshi Genki's vows to educate and empower Dharma Successors who embody enlightenment and Zen Garland's mission.

Zen Garland is committed to developing social service projects and nurturing the spiritual transformation of individuals, families and communities. Zen Garland offers holistic spiritual development under the guidance of our Dharma Successors through a strong curriculum of residential and public practice delivered in daily meditation sessions, retreats, classes and workshops. The Zen Garland Way is based on six core practices: Zen meditation, study with Zen Garland Teachers, embodiment practices, Focusing for Emotional Intelligence, Ethics, and Service. In addition to our General Path for spiritual development, we offer four specialized Paths: Zen Buddhism, Christian Zen. Red Path (Native American) Zen and Aikido Zen.

Our training place is the world and daily life, not a refuge from it. Our approach is to practice with all aspects of our lives, including the complex dimensions of our emotions, sexuality, relationships and work.

Zen Garland has a General Path that serves as a foundation for spiritual development uniting us all. This Path offers a holistic, phased approach to spiritual development in the following areas: Zen Meditation, Spiritual Guidance with Zen Garland Teachers, Ethics, and Social Service, Embodiment, Character Development, and study of Zen Buddhist and other spiritual sources and commentaries.

In addition we offer four advanced Practice Paths Zen Buddhism, Christian Zen, Native American Zen and Aikido Zen. Each of these Paths offer unique Expressions for Spiritual Development, Teaching and Ordination.

Zen Garland maintains intensive study and practice throughout the year, seven days a week, with multiple daily Zen meditation periods, daily liturgy, and classes. Residential Trainees and Members have private, personal study with all our lineage-holding teachers and an intensive training schedule, which includes the elements of our holistic model of spiritual development.

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Zen Garland A Community and Order for Zen Practice ...

When you break something, is your first impulse to throw it away? Or do you repair it but feel a sadness because it is no longer "perfect"? Whatever the case, you might want to consider the way the Japanese treated the items used in their tea ceremony. Even though they were made from the simplest materials... these teacups and bowls were revered for their plain lines and spiritual qualities. There were treated with the utmost care, integrity and respect.

For this reason, a cup from the tea ceremony was almost never broken. When an accident did occur and a cup was broken, there were certain instances in which the cup was repaired with gold.

Rather than trying to restore it in a what they would cover the gace that it ahad been broken, the cracks were celebrated in a bold and spirited way. The thin paths of shining gold completely encircled the ceramic cup, announcing to the world that the cup was broken and repaired and vulnerable to change.

And in this way, its value was even further enhanced. Gary Thorp, Sweeping Changes: Discovering the Joy of Zen in Everyday Tasks

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Quotes About Zen Buddhism (28 quotes) - Goodreads