The five Zens

Zen master Tsung-mi (780841) in his work, The General Preface to the Collected Writing on the Source of Zen (Chan-yan chu-chan-chi tu-hs), describes five kinds of Zen, the fifth kind of Zen being the highest. The first kind of Zen is hetrodox Zen (hatha yoga, for example). The second Zen is prithagjana or common man Zen. The third Zen is Hinayana Zen. The fourth Zen is Mahayana Zen. And finally the last is supreme Zen. Tsung-mi defines the last Zen this way:

If one's practice is based on having suddenly awakened [to the realization that] one's own mind is from the very beginning pure, that the depravities have never existed, that the nature of the wisdom that is without outflows is from the very beginning complete, that this mind is Buddha, and that they are ultimately identical, then it is dhyana of the Highest Vehicle. This type is also known as pure dhyana of the Tathagata, one-mark samadhi, and Tathagata samadhi. It is the root of all samadhis (ed. Peter N. Gregory, Traditions of Meditation in Chinese Buddhism, p. 108).

I am not going to get into what popular Zen is, but it is not supreme Zen! I am looking at number two Zen.


Popular posts from this blog

Famous Abbot Takes Up Monastery Dispute

Image
Famous Abbot Takes Up Monastery Dispute Famous Abbot Takes Up Monastery Dispute Tibetan monk self-immolates in Ngaba, dies from injuries What makes us behave compassionately? August 9-11: Buddhist Geeks conference to be livestreamed for free Pak police seize 2,000-year-old Buddhist relics worth millions Obon Festival at Buddhist temple offers a taste of hospitality Meditating Buddhist monk saddles up for London Taiwan to stage first same-sex Buddhist wedding Samye Monastery reborn Japanese minister visits Shrawasti, assures support Buddhist order spreads temple cuisine Movies, music, and more: The Wu-Tang’s “Abbot” speaks China to build ‘Tibetan theme park’ in Lhasa Digital Dharma at the Rubin Museum Practices Derived from Buddhist Meditation Show Real Effectiveness for Certain Health Problems Buddha Ear Buddhist Geeks conference to be livestreamed for f
Keep reading

Stephen Batchelor err on accumulated karma

Image
Stephen Batchelor err on accumulated karma Stephen Batchelor err on accumulated karma Buddhist Tours The Spiritual Face of India Ancient Buddhist learning center Taxila is one of the most endangered sites in Asia Shambhala International debuts ShambhalaNews Mood of meditation at Buddhist Temple Empty Gate Zen Buddhist Center takes American approach to Korean Buddhism Shinnyo-en Leads 14th Annual Lantern Floating Hawai'i Forest Walking II Mihintale: Monastic complex of two thousand monks Malaysia: Respect the cultural features of all communities The Dalai Lama’s special teachings for Tibetan youth and Indian Buddhists Head monk of Kyoto temple takes Buddhist into the community Seeking the core of Korean Meditation Dalai Lama encourages Chinese to seek solace in Buddhist Mindful war Stephen Batchelor err on accumulated karma Posted: 27 May 201
Keep reading

Ikeda calls for “nuclear abolition summit”

Image
Ikeda calls for “nuclear abolition summit” Ikeda calls for “nuclear abolition summit” Discover the Sacred Dwelling of the Heavenly Mother in Kuala Lumpur’s Holy Thean Hou Temple Symbolism of the Dharmachakra Buddhist Tours - 7 Places You Should Visit on Buddha Trail Buddhist Tours, Places to See and Places to Stay- Tour around or stay in comfort Buddhist Monks and Monasteries in Thailand Sarnath - A Depiction of India's Rich Buddhist Heritage The Contributions Of Asian Buddhists And The Popularity Of Zen Buddhist Tours India- Five Best Buddhist Sacred Sites Buddhist prayer beads - China PEM Fastener - Sheet Metal cabinet Supplier The Dewdrop Slips Into The Shining Sea - Choral Piece Popular Buddhist Pilgrimage Spots in India and Nepal 65th Annual Northwest District Buddhist Convention coming to Spokane Buddhist Tour India: Credulous And Spiritual Soujourn Bangladesh’s “Bana Bhante” dies at age 93 Beginning Buddhist Meditation 201
Keep reading