Friends , posting a short poem on Zen Philosophy after a break ! Buddhist Philosophy with its roots buried deep in the soils of Ancient India , travelled to China, and finally reached the shores of Japan to become Zen !
It also gives me some pleasure to inform that should you type the Title of this poem on Google search , out of the ten pages of references shown about Zen , this poem has been listed on the very first page as a permanent reference for all !
A SHORT INTRODUCTION TO 'ZEN PHILOSOPHY' .
A SHORT INTRODUCTION TO -
'ZEN PHILOSOPHY' .
With roots buried deep in soils of Ancient India,
And watered by the exotic blend of three different
cultures;
Reflecting the mysticism of India, the pragmatism
of the Confucian mind, and the Taoist love for
naturalness and spontaneity;
Buddhism bloomed and blossomed into an exotic
flower called - 'Zen Philosophy'!
In 475AD, a pupil of Buddha called Bodhidharma,
visited China .
There this Mahayana School of Buddhism, mingled
with Chinese Taoism , -
Which evolved into Chan Philosophy!
The word 'Chan' derived from the Sanskrit word 'dhyana',
which meant 'silent meditation',
Through which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment
and salvation !
Later, in 1200 AD, Chan philosophy travelled to the
shores of Japan,
Where 'Chan ' got translated to ' Zen' by its many followers
and fans !
Zen is the art of meditation to achieve inner awakening;
To gain intutive knowledge, highlighting the inadequacy
of logical reasoning !
It therefore advocates the practice of 'zazen', or 'sitting
meditation',
For acquiring inner awakening through silent
contemplation !
ZEN could be practised in our daily life,
Without entering a hermitage, leaving behind your
family or wife !
''Gain the naturalness of your original true nature, ''
- preaches the Zen preacher !
''Rather than through mere faith and devotion,
which is contrary to Zen notion'', says the teacher !
''One must awaken to this present moment to feel
this life ,
And not waste time in speculations of an elusive
after-life ! ''
The ''Enso'' or Circle , is the Zen symbol which is
often deployed ;
Symbolising enlightenment, strength, the universe,
and the void !
With this ''expression of the moment '' - Zen Philosophy
starts,
And today the ''Enso'' is also the symbol of Expressionist
Art !
Never ask the Zen Master, ' 'What is Zen, when or how? '',
For he will always tell you- ''Zen Is The Instant Now'' !
-Raj Nandy
New Delhi
interesting and inspiring piece of poem which propels us to live in the moment true.food for thought and soul which makes us whole.thanks raj for sharing this !
Nice knowing about 'Zen Philosophy' through this magnificent piece!
Thanks for enlightening me "now"
very thorough, very insightful poem on zen and its history and its meaning, Raj...
Raj, I enjoyed this writing so much...Your writings are classrooms of detailed information. I do appreciate the time you take to research and post these pages to enlighten all who travel the roads to poetry, music, and peace of mind. Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
Hello Raj, an excellent informative post my friend.
i always love your history lessons. tfs and may you have a great new year.
Well done, thank you.
The past, present and future are one. We are the vortex and the pinnacle. Micro and macro cosmoses at the center. A poet friend//RH Peat
if we spend too much time minding it we might miss the moment
Dear Raj Nandy Sir: What a brilliant piece of work! The introductory stanza itself is so captivating. Kudos to you for having unraveled before us this great philosophy with such ease and elan and in such few words! I think you are doing a great service to the philosophers of this world. Highly enlightening. Look forward to more such great works from you. Thank you.
Raj, thanks for this insight into Zen philosophy.. sorry I missed it earlier
That was a most informative write, now to stay in the moment that is my challenge... good write!
Thank you Raj for this knowledge filled write on Zen philosophy, most interesting
Thank you for sharing the knowledge you possess in Zen Philosophy. It nice to see it it summarized like this and like "Zen Is The Instant Now".
thank you very much for sharing, sir... although I don't know how to make a comment here, since you always amaze me by the way you present these facts... keep it up, sir!
Very appreciative of this definitive explanation, well presented and informative to a wide audience...There is nothing quite like the experience of being fully in a moment... the peace is sweet
Raj, "if we follow lifes flow and stick to its course, we have no wear we have no tear, we need no mending no repair." (Lao Tzu )
Thank you for such contribution. when making this comment i feel myself as a Zen follower at least for this fraction of time. Because this comment is very instant reaction of reading. Your profound perseverance to collect the treasure of the past deserves to be awarded. Thank you again
Thank you my dear friend for sharing this magnificent write full of knowledge and poignant facts that definitely will help all of us to understand Zen's philosophy! Thank you again, Love and Peace for always!
Enchanting to read which I print and read on my lie low in the garden and consume it among nature to delve into Zen...magic...regards
thanks for lesson on comparative religion
you are endowed with great wisdom, Raj..and many thanks for this informative piece of yours..I feel like a student again.
Let me thank my Readers sincerely , for appreciating my Zen Philosophy along with the lesser know facts of History ! Thanks , -Raj
thanks so much Nandi Sahab for referring me to this poem(article). In fact since very long I wanted to know about Zen philosophy and now got it in a crisp, yet very explitive way from your great pen. I got more interested and read some more about Zen in http://www.zen-philosophy.com/ Very well depicted Sir.
"Zen Is The Instant Now". That says it all.Nice poem filled with enriching thoughts.
very good,again so many thing i don't know about the origen of zen
Thanks Raj! The greatest philosophy from India via China and then Japan,your masterly piece is so precious.............you're a mobile encyclopedia always give us a knowledge.
Great work Raj...I strongly agree with Fay's points. An informative one, where am also reminded of " Ekphrasis"..Bookmarked.!
I am so pleased to have caught this piece on Zen just as I return after a short break dear Raj - - your powerful lines are full of informative lessons on Zen's raison-d'etre and am delighted you have this piece listed on Google as a permanent reference. Your research and presentations are second to none.
"To gain intuitive knowledge, highlighting the inadequacy of logical reasoning"... this line fascinated me. Sooner or later, the failure of logic to understand life has given way to wonder and amazement.....The poem also reminded me of Eckhart Tolle's renowned book "Power of Now". Have you read it ? I also get the message of the "instant now"...I hope I am able to practice it. Thanks for this beautiful summarization....
you always pass on knowledge to us who know so little through your extensive research , and i like the comment and quote of gita ashok on carl jung= who looks outside -dreams - who looks inside awakens. thank you so much for sharing.
I remember not to ask a zen master.. Thanks for sharing this fine work.. Cat
I enjoyed reading your informative poem. always learn something when reading your work. love this piece.
A enjoyable and informative poem you have written . Thank you Raj.
once buddha smiled at a rose flower... then born zen, the soul of peace!
Always a lesson learned from your wonderful post...Thank you for your commitment to inform... Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
A truly informative piece. Poetic tool used so effectively to share this knowledge.
Good to know, to the roots ! very informative, Thanks !
nice in a nut shell. thanks for teaching. shan
Very informative and interesting.
Hello Raj, A real treat to read as usual. Thank you!
I like the Carpe Diem spirit of the Zen philosophy. This is a beautifully inked treatise on the origins and essence of the Zen philosophy and as usual the result of your extensive research and hard work. Coincidentally, on my table here I have a white board on which I have written a quote of Carl Jung - "Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." And as you have mentioned here: "Zen is the art of meditation to achieve inner awakening", I thus found a connection between Carl Jung's beliefs and the Zen philosophy! Interesting!
Wow. Enlightening to my vast ignorance indeed. Thank you for this post and tribute to that rather popular doctrine of salvation. Fascinating and informative with excellent imagery. All too interesting.