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Zen: Difference between revisions
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== Methods == | == Methods == | ||
Dr. David C. Yü explains that “suspicion of words was characteristic of Zen. Ma-chu, an eighth-century master, stressed non-verbal communication in order to help students gain the insight that leads to enlightenment. Once a disciple asked him about the essence of Buddhism. Ma-chu responded by giving him a box on the ear. The non-verbal method is a reminder that logical or philosophical scrutiny, which emphasizes the use of words, is an obstacle to reality.”<ref>Religions of the World, p. 593.</ref> | Dr. David C. Yü explains that “suspicion of words was characteristic of Zen. Ma-chu, an eighth-century master, stressed non-verbal communication in order to help students gain the insight that leads to enlightenment. Once a disciple asked him about the essence of Buddhism. Ma-chu responded by giving him a box on the ear. The non-verbal method is a reminder that logical or philosophical scrutiny, which emphasizes the use of words, is an obstacle to reality.”<ref>Ronald J. Wilkins, ''Religions of the World'' (Dubuque, Iowa : Wm. C. Brown, 1974), p. 593.</ref> | ||
One of the methods Zen uses to enable the student to get beyond the human, reasoning mind is the ''koan''. Rice says the koan is a verbal jolt, “an enigma or puzzle that forces the student’s mind outside normal thought processes in order to gain instant enlightenment.”<ref>Edward Rice, ''Eastern Definitions'' (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1978), p. 418.</ref> | One of the methods Zen uses to enable the student to get beyond the human, reasoning mind is the ''koan''. Rice says the koan is a verbal jolt, “an enigma or puzzle that forces the student’s mind outside normal thought processes in order to gain instant enlightenment.”<ref>Edward Rice, ''Eastern Definitions'' (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1978), p. 418.</ref> | ||