Zen isn't whatever you want it to be

Since it seems that a lot of reddit users want to come into this sub spewing their own ideas of what Zen is and what Zen Masters teach I figured now would be a good time to reintroduce the foundations of this sub. This information can be found on the r/Zen wiki page @ http://www.reddit.com/r/Zen/wiki/index

1. What is Zen?

Zen originated when Bodhidharma, the 28th patriarch from the direct line of Buddha Shakyamunis transmission of the Dharma, traveled to China from India where he became the 1st patriarch of Chan and passed on the Dharma transmission to Huike, who became the 2nd patriarch in the Chinese lineage of Dharma transmission. When Chan was inevitably brought to Japan it took on the name Zen.

This sub is dedicated to the books and teachings that were passed on by the authentic lineage through the successions of patriarchs and their students.

2. What is Zen discussion?

Historically, there are four statements that characterize Zen discussion:

-A special transmission outside the scriptures

-No dependence on words and letters

-Direct pointing to the soul of man

-Seeing into one's nature and the attainment of Buddhahood

3. What are authentic Zen texts?

Authentic Zen texts can be classified in two categories:

-Texts written and/or compiled by direct lineage Zen Masters.

-Texts written and/or compiled by the students or acquaintances of direct lineage Zen Masters.

4. What texts are authentic according to the historical lineage of Zen patriarchs and their students/acquaintances?

-The Treasury of the Eye of True Teaching Volumes 1 & 2

-The Blue Cliff Records

-The Mumonkon aka The Gateless Gate

-The Book of Serenity

-The Recorded Sayings of Zen Master Joshu

-The Records of Linji

-On the Transmission of Mind (Huangbo)

Just to name a few, more can be found here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/wiki/reading

5. What isn't Zen?

-Coming to this sub preaching your own opinions of what Zen is.

-Coming to this sub preaching doctrines of philosophy or religion.

-Claiming Buddhist doctrines and practices are Zen doctrines and practices.

-Claiming that historical non-lineage Zen priests are Zen Masters.

-Claiming that anyone from any spiritual or religious system is a Zen Master.

With that being said, this sub has specific rules and guidelines that it follows which are summarized in this post. If you don't want to follow the rules that guide this subs discussions then feel free to leave. There are plenty of other Zen subs on Reddit that would be more than happy to have you posting whatever you want, but not this sub.

So please, have some decency and respect the reddiquette of this sub.

https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/about/rules

Submitted September 30, 2019 at 08:15AM by AssholeBuddha https://ift.tt/2m9s60P