Zen 禅 The word means “meditation.” A Buddhist sect that emphasizes meditation and personal transmission of doctrine. Traditionally believed to have been transmitted from India by Bodhidharma, but possibly of Chinese origin.
Origins of Zen: Bodhidharma (d. 532 CE). The First Patriarch of Chan Buddhism, an Indian or Sogdian monk who is traditionally believed to have transmitted Zen from India to China. Patriarch : head of the sect. Hojo Tokimune (1250-1284) : Shogun during Kamakura period, promoted Zen in Japan. Led samurai against invasions of Yuan-dynasty Mongols in 1274 and 1281.
WABI-SABI aesthetic
1. wabi: pleasure taken in austerity and aloneness, simplicity, objects weathered by time
“Someone once remarked that thin silk was not satisfactory as a scroll wrapping because it was so easily torn. Ton'a replied: ‘It is only after the silk wrapper has frayed at top and bottom, and the mother-of-pearl has fallen from the roller that a scroll looks beautiful.'” (see Mason, p. 213) 2. sabi : nuances of loneliness and old age and also tranquility achieved at the end of life Two schools of Zen practiced during the Kamakura era: 1. Rinzai Zen : sudden enlightenment, uses ko'an riddles and zazen meditation ko'an . A nonsensical or paradoxical question or story used in Zen Buddhism as a method to force the listener to abandon logical thought and attain a suprarational understanding. Example: “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” zazen 座禅 meditation in cross-legged yogic pose 2. Soto Zen : gradual enlightenment, uses zazen meditation only Zen Temples: Engakuji 円覚寺 , Kamakura [Mason, fig. 207] Mountain gate (Sanmon 山門 ) Relic Hall (Shariden, literally Shrine of Sacred Tooth of the Buddha 舎利殿 ) (fig. 249) Ryôanji 龍安寺 , Kyoto. Late 15 th century. dry rock garden ( karesansui 枯山水 ) (fig. 250) Daisenin 大仙院 , Daitokuji 大徳寺 , Kyoto. 1509. [Mason, fig. 251]
