What is Zen Buddhism?

[@rumrunner8019]

I studied Chan at a monastery for a year (but didn't become a monk) and I must say, you really nailed it here! There are just two points that should be made: First, something that many Westerners may not realize, is that strict adherence to one sect of Buddhism isn't very widespread. Many Buddhists, including monastics, practice both Chan/Zen and Pureland Buddhism, or mix Chan/Zen with esoteric/Vajrayana teachings. Also, many Buddhists will even combine religions, like having Confucian ancestor veneration and familial piety or Shinto reverence for Kami spirits mixed with Zen or other sects of Buddhism. Second, it should be noted that we do have the concept of Wu (Satori in Japanese) Essentially, while in Zuochan/Zazen meditation, it is possible to actually touch Buddhahood, if only for a moment. That is one of the biggest differences between Chan and just about every other religion: other religions talk about "heaven," but in Chan, we actually visit it and experience it in this life. It should also be noted that Bodhidharma founded Chan at the Shaolin monastery...yep, that Shaolin monastery. The birthplace of Chan in China is also the birthplace of Kung-Fu.

[@onekumarajay]

You do realize that Chan is A Derivative of Dhyana, which is A Derivative of Gyana - Which Essentially Means Knowledge of Self. This Heaven You Claim You Experience in China, maybe Equalized toTerms Such as Nirvana, Moksha, Samadhi etc. Difference between Buddhism & Hinduism could be this: The Buddhist Void (which you call your Chinese Heaven) is Just Another Way of Describing The Hindu Conception of God as Brahman (The Vast) Peace

[@onekumarajay]

Essentially, Buddha "IS" the Heaven you speak of. And Hindu Knowers of Brahman Are Permanently Based In It ONE

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thank you for a valuable addition to the discussion!

[@TheCaptainFanta]

Can you tell me a little bit about the process of entering a monastery, I'm extremely interested in experiencing monastic life and especially zen.

[@ZenAndPsychedelicHealingCenter]

@@TheCaptainFanta If you are interested, look for a legitimate Chan/Zen teacher, center, or monastery near you and just visit, take part in the meditation meetings and such. It's important to get a sense of whether the teacher is right for you, before committing to extended time in a center or monastery.

[@Vak_g]

After so many episodes, after so many excellent documentaries, I still cant't believe how lucky I am to be able to watch videos like this in KZbin! Philip what you are doing is literally making my life more beautiful! Thank you very much!

[@cecilcharlesofficial]

agree - one of my fav channels.

[@ireb3l]

I agree ☝️

[@nannwe8241]

66666666 to 779.

[@LordJesusChristisGodandSaviour]

God, the Lord Jesus Christ loves you! Restore your relationship with God by repenting of your sins and putting your faith in Jesus Christ, "... that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

[@buddhaexhumed9922]

I also regard myself as lucky to tumble into this channel. I do research on how Buddhism disappeared in Bihar. I realized it never disappeared from Bihar. Buddhists simply failed to research Indian Buddhism. They looked at Buddhism through the sphere of their own cultures searching for only the Buddha. Buddha had a myriad of names in different villages according to his teachings there. Example. His favorite teaching was 'Lust and desire causes pain. Remove lust and desire, and pain is removed'. Translated into Bihari (where the Buddha story took place) it is DHUKH HARAN meaning to remove dukha. Three dozen villages pray to DUKH HARAN Baba. Its clear that DUKH HARAN Baba is none other than the Buddha. Problem is Buddhists are searching only for the Buddha. In the real Vaishali the Buddha begged for alms. The locals there pray to 'BHIKHAINI' Baba (Beggar Baba). Bhikhaini was mispronounced by Buddhists as Bhikshu. Who is BHIKHAINI Baba. The Buddha no doubt. But people are searching for a man called Buddha. In the real Vaishali, in Beluha the Buddha suffered a sickness and felt he had grown old. The locals pray to 'BURHA' Baba (Old Baba). Who is BURHA Baba. The Buddha no doubt. In the real Vaishali the Lichavies pressurized Buddha not to die. They trailed him to Bandagawan pressurizing him not to die. To put pressure in Hindi is DABESHWAR. Three dozen villages around the stupa where Buddha gave the Lichavies his patra, the villagers pray to Baba 'DABESHWAR NATH' meaning the man who won the pressurizing game. It was the the Buddha no doubt as he gave the Lichavies his patra and succeded in sending them back. But Buddhists are searching for the Buddha. In Pidhauli (Vaishali) the local deity is Bardiha Baba. Bardiha means the Baba who didn't allow us to stay where he was staying. Bardiha Baba is the Buddha no doubt because he didn't allow the crowd of Lichavies to stay with him in Bandagama. Forgive me for commenting out of the topic. I just wanted to impart this information to you.

[@nicolafrau759]

Finally a video about Buddhism! Thanks!

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

Yes!

[@SithSolomon]

I’m saying 😂

[@rayne6719]

Maybe next he'll cover Zelda

[@rafaelnunesduarte]

​@@rayne6719religion for breakfast did one, if you are interested.

[@zanewalsh1812]

Sorry, dear friend... Not 'finally!' "Now" a meditation on Buddhism 🙏🏼 Namaskar 🌏🌎🌍🕊️ For us all ✨🌈🌌

[@kasturiswami784]

In real life we learn all the time from such wisdom and it makes a huge difference.

[@buddhaexhumed9922]

Yes, these videos make a real difference. Please allow me to interrupt. I do research on how Buddhism disappeared in Bihar. I realized it never disappeared from Bihar. Buddhists simply failed to research Indian Buddhism. They looked at Buddhism through the sphere of their own cultures searching for only the Buddha. Buddha had a myriad of names in different villages according to his teachings there. Example. His favorite teaching was 'Lust and desire causes pain. Remove lust and desire, and pain is removed'. Translated into Bihari (where the Buddha story took place) it is DHUKH HARAN meaning to remove dukha. Three dozen villages pray to DUKH HARAN Baba. Its clear that DUKH HARAN Baba is none other than the Buddha. Problem is Buddhists are searching only for the Buddha. In the real Vaishali the Buddha begged for alms. The locals there pray to 'BHIKHAINI' Baba (Beggar Baba). Bhikhaini was mispronounced by Buddhists as Bhikshu. Who is BHIKHAINI Baba. The Buddha no doubt. But people are searching for a man called Buddha. In the real Vaishali, in Beluha the Buddha suffered a sickness and felt he had grown old. The locals pray to 'BURHA' Baba (Old Baba). Who is BURHA Baba. The Buddha no doubt. In the real Vaishali the Lichavies pressurized Buddha not to die. They trailed him to Bandagawan pressurizing him not to die. To put pressure in Hindi is DABESHWAR. Three dozen villages around the stupa where Buddha gave the Lichavies his patra, the villagers pray to Baba 'DABESHWAR NATH' meaning the man who won the pressurizing game. It was the the Buddha no doubt as he gave the Lichavies his patra and succeded in sending them back. But Buddhists are searching for the Buddha. In Pidhauli (Vaishali) the local deity is Bardiha Baba. Bardiha means the Baba who didn't allow us to stay where he was staying. Bardiha Baba is the Buddha no doubt because he didn't allow the crowd of Lichavies to stay with him in Bandagama. Forgive me for commenting out of the topic. I just wanted to impart this information to you.

[@ExplainingChristianity]

Finally a video about Zen Buddhism, been waiting for a while!

[@jeff_forsythe]

Small step, Falun Dafa is th highest school of Buddhism.

[@simpleitsdanny]

Ive been Thien Buddhist my whole life but always wondered why the Buddhism varies by country ! Thank you for tackling this and clarifying my own religion

[@amirbanafi1477]

Hello dear. I love to research about different mystical ways, philosophies, psychological subjects and religions. I am practicing zen meditation and mindfulness every day and I am reading late Thich Nhat Hanh books and listen to his speeches and also Pema Chodron. I love him. I grew up in an Islamic culture in Iran and I love Sufism and Iranian divine philosophy. My question to you is can I have your email or your WhatsApp no or your social media to have a relationship with you for asking questions about Buddhism. I will be so happy if you accept my request. Thanks

[@jeff_forsythe]

Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@tdclemensen]

I have been going through a very difficult time recently, and what you said about letting go and accepting the suffering really hits home. Sometimes suffering hits like a tidal wave and there is no option but to let go

[@jeff_forsythe]

Suffering brings wisdom........Buddha. Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@abhinavpatil759]

​@@jeff_forsytheFalun Dafa is a non-Buddhist cult

[@greenthumb8266]

I have benefitted greatly these past three years studying the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh , on the Plum Village channel here on YT. Thank you Filip for all your wonderful videos 🙏🏼

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@elfarlaur]

28:35 this story reminds me of Stoicism. Interesting how philosophers in different parts of the world with different cultures and influences can come to similar conclusions.

[@pookz3067]

A necessary functional development in times of inescapable suffering!

[@SteveCondron]

This is what we Rosicrucians call the gnosis.

[@terryz935]

While there is mention of Zen in China, Korean & Japan, there is also a tradition of Zen in Tibet. Dzogchen (Wylie: rdzogs chen) is a tradition of teachings in Tibetan Buddhism aimed at discovering and continuing in the ultimate ground of existence having the qualities of emptiness, spontaneity and compassion. Dzogchen arose in the era of the first dissemination of Buddhism in Tibet (7th to 9th centuries CE) during the Tibetan Empire. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzogchen

[@mcgee227]

Thank you for this explanation. I've studied zen for years, but from time to time, you'll hear an explanation that makes the teaching more available.

[@ademiranda2]

Very informative video. I have always loved Zen and its simplicity, its minimalist elegance. I remember picking up a copy of "The Way of Zen" by Alan Watts back in the 80's. It really changed my perspective on life.

[@exoplanet11]

That's him at 41:41

[@garypuckettmuse]

Alan Watts raised me back in the sixties, hahaha. The Original Spiritual Gangster. I hope you are familiar with all the recordings of his lectures and talks and radio shows available on youtube. And for everyone else out there -- if you are not familiar with Alan Watts *you really haven't lived*.

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@MartyMcK]

I prefer Thich Nhat Hanh’s use of the term interconnected ness. rather than emptiness. You actually explained it really well when referring to the tree.

[@SuperAwesomedude20]

Emptiness is literally interdependence yup

[@thomasbortscheller8156]

I have watched many KZbin videos on Zen and I truly didn’t understand until the part of your video where you talk about the tree and the non specificity of all inter connected everything. I am also glad that you have much better words than I do. 😂

[@jeff_forsythe]

Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@Gieszkanne]

Yes "emptiness" is a very bad and misleading term.

[@jeff_forsythe]

@@Gieszkanne All of civilization is based upon man's inability to face his aloneness....................Falun Dafa

[@aubreyekstrom8919]

Very well done video on Chan/Zen Buddhism, from someone who has practiced and studied Buddhism most of my life, specifically Chan/Zen Buddhism. While we could debate minor differences in the details & history, I think that misses the point. For a 45 minute video you did an amazing job of covering the main ideas and history. Thank you for your hard work on this!

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@dudeonthasopha]

Wooooo, I'm a zen buddhist and it's refreshing to see it explained from a more historical view. I'd love a video on the trikaya concept and how it relates to tathāgatagarbha and śunyata. It's one of the most interesting parts of mahayana I think.

[@enterthevoidIi]

Trikaya is not really that important in Zen, but why do you find it interesting? Is it because of the holly trinity? Zen actually goes to the point where Trikaya is ignored. I think that Zen is getting a completely difference face in contact with the West and in a 100 year or more we will have a whole new school of Buddhism. It's already very different from what is taught in the east.

[@SonofSethoitae]

​@@enterthevoidIiThe Trikaya isn't really ignored in Zen, you see references to it all the time in teachings by Zen masters. Western zen teachers may downplay it to make Buddhism seem more secular, but I'd argue that that isn't even the standard here in the west.

[@enterthevoidIi]

@@SonofSethoitae yeah it is, maybe in the west it's mentioned more due to influences from outside of zen, but in japan/china, it's insignificant

[@SonofSethoitae]

@@enterthevoidIi ...not correct? The trikaya is pretty foundational to Huayan philosophy, which in turn is foundational to Chan/Zen. It's also fundamental to the Mahayana conception of the universe. It's mentioned often in the writings of Chinese and Japanese masters.

[@enterthevoidIi]

@@SonofSethoitae once again, it is not important in zen, it is mentioned, for example, hakuin wrote about it, but it is not important and it's often ignored

[@deacudaniel1635]

In Middle Chinese (spoken by the time Zen Buddhism emerged), dhyana was pronunced as *dzien, then diverged into modern Mandarin "chan", Japanese "zen" and other variants across East Asian languages.

[@Borneotek]

should be chen instead...

[@xhoques]

I think it was the other way around. Since 照三歸知, chan could in be the early day be pronunced as *dyan.

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@numerals8939]

correction it's: *dzyen. the y and i does have a difference in pronounciation

[@jseymourguenther6527]

I get why it took Filip awhile to get around to Buddha Dharma - he doesn’t settle for simplification

[@LetsTalkReligion]

I do my best, at least!

[@theostapel]

Kwatsss ! Traditional Master shout - from Zen or the sound of that wooden slat - smacked across the shoulders of the meditator - in Zen, again. Hee hee. Seriously. You have developed a useful and inspiring - world view - to help individuals and whole groups. Fare thee well. @@LetsTalkReligion

[@jeff_forsythe]

Buddha said that His Dharma would no longer be useful at this exact time in history. Falun Dafa is th highest school of Buddhism.

[@morpety]

Thanks

[@LysSylva]

One of my favorite channels. Straight to the point, , well researched, topped with own experienceand well explained Thank you!

[@lastakocjancic8677]

I would say,with acceptance the suffering loses his power over us.Thank you,you inspired me.❤

[@NeilEvans-xq8ik]

The Way of the Cross...? The Way of Submission (Islam)...? No, that can't be right! Only my cup is the one to drink from. Not those other cups!

[@jeff_forsythe]

Wisdom springs from suffering......Buddha. Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@alwilliams5177]

Excellent job as usual. "The pain completely left me to some degree." That's my koan for today. Extremely appropriate.

[@jeff_forsythe]

Pain is healing. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@canisronis2753]

So good, so useful...thank you! Enlightening channels like yours are the modern equivalent of guru for those with the eyes to see.

[@t-villev4366]

Thanks!

[@userMB1]

Buddhistic teachings has been of great influence in modern day therapy like CBT and DBT. I myself have been trough DBT and learned valuable lessons. Most notably Radical Acceptance, i.e. accepting reality as it is so you can react to it the best possible way. 💟

[@garypuckettmuse]

The Buddha was the OG of psychiatry/psychotherapy.. Even Freudian psychoanalysis is an iteration of the idea that the truth will set you free. The Rub in concepts like Radical Acceptance is developing the wisdom and the courage to recognize reality which is the precondition of being able to Accept it. Good comment and I hope it encourages people to look into DBT as a path for their own growth. There is a lot we can do to help ourselves; we don't always have to turn to experts to hold up the mirror for us. Best wishes.

[@MartyMcK]

As has Stoicism

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@d512634]

I look forward to see a philosopher's biography about the sixth patriarch Huineng. His teachings were compiled into a book called Platform Sutra and is held in high regard by Chan Buddhists.

[@johncrondis4563]

Huineng is my neng-ga

[@LordJesusChristisGodandSaviour]

God, the Lord Jesus Christ loves you! Restore your relationship with God by repenting of your sins and putting your faith in Jesus Christ, "... that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

[@d512634]

@@LordJesusChristisGodandSaviour He loves you too, random citizen.

[@theostapel]

Love does just that ..... excellent note - from yourself. @@d512634

[@danivicario]

Very interesting, thank you!

[@kazakhdoge1822]

Hello Filip, I love this channel for bringing an in-depth look at various religions and their philosophies. I have some favors to ask from you: could you make videos about Alevism (not Alawites), Yarsanism and Said Nursi's teachings? Thank you.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

I want to cover all those topics!

[@kazakhdoge1822]

@@LetsTalkReligion Thank you! Hopefully we will see those topics soon!

[@KarlWitsman]

Very good description of Zen Buddhism, at least from my humble understanding. Even after years of following that path, I cannot claim to know everything about it. But I think you reached a Zen point during your trip in the cold. It isn't to stop the suffering, but to not let it overcome you.

[@szymonbaranowski8184]

suffering is just another chosen perception and it doesnt exist objectively ecept in own emotional perception usually more inherited with culture and repeated learned from environment program than triggered by emotional part of brain affecting reptile brain you can train decoupling but it will not be absolute if you stay in environment which stimulates this response you can avoid it avoiding the environment as long as program isnt too strong keeping you caught in world of past if you surround with suffering people you will suffer yourself except if you teach them to decouple from it you are not born suffering no baby suffers focusing on suffering itself will activate brain overthinking this artificial concept

[@newpilgrim]

Thanks so much for precisely explaining underlying principles, and I hope that your excellent content encourages others to look into this experiential 'religion'.

[@murilo7fsa]

Valeu!

[@douglashtang]

I understand exactly everything you say in this video because I grew up reading a lot of Chan and Mahayana Buddhist texts (sutras-vinayas-sastras) in Vietnamese language. Thank you so much for explaining this in depth for English speaking audiences. This video is truly a gem. I feel like you might have been able to read some non-English texts to come up with such detailed look in Chan Buddhism. I love that you introduce the zen koans riddles to the non-Buddhist audience. These koans are very fascinating, mind-blowing and thought-provoking.

[@joeroubidoux2783]

Congrats! you did about as good a job as can be hoped for and really got the “principle” through. Excellent in every way.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thank you!

[@clobbopus_used_beat]

Perfect amount of detail and context. Thank you!

[@lafemininja]

That was a great video. I have been practicing and learning about zen buddhism for some time and this was quite accurate to the original teachings and history, plus some helpful insight about its development in China in particular. I have been following your channel and I was wondering when you were going to post something about it haha, so many thanks! 🙏🏽

[@bencharits]

Great summary indeed 🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽 your description and understanding of Chan Buddhism are superb and admirable. Thanks for doing this.

[@claudetaiwan]

I fell the very same way you did…

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@corsaircaruso471]

So excited! Chan isn’t my tradition (I’m Theravada), but I’m very happy to see you covering Buddhism!

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@adamng5338]

Such an amazing video, its in depth and I am kinda geeking out! The mention of Nagarjuna's emptiness was great. There are so many details that most lay people who practice Chinese Mahayana Buddhism don't know about, which i feel its important to understand why and how we are practicing certain ideas in today's Chinese Buddhism. Thankyou so much, I learned alot! 🙏

[@xijinping9024]

Thier is no chinese Buddhism first of all. India influenced China culturally 😂😂 China used sanskrit names 😂😂😂.

[@adamng5338]

@xijinping9024 When I said Chinese mahayana buddhism, I meant, when it got transmitted to china and how it transformed to its own thing. I'm glad you had a good laugh.

[@xijinping9024]

The word itself is sanskrit. China used dhyaan which is meditation in sanskrit language into chan.. So technically india dominated china culturally 😆😆 and infant japan also.....

[@xijinping9024]

@@adamng5338 so you are saying that bodhisattva and bodhidharma who were the father and founder of zen Buddhism were not real???😆😆 What a top level of asshole you are 😆😆

[@adamng5338]

@xijinping9024 Thank you for showing your intentions, which has no relevance to any discussion. Have a great day.

[@bochica3562]

You shared a priceless treasure with me. I know understand critical concepts a lot more than before. Thanks for the video, teacher! ❤🌻

[@ShaolinChan5988]

❤

[@dustind4694]

Appreciate the clarity and research. Started in on this channel to learn about Sufism and have yet to be disappointed by the dignity granted to the long process of thought and emotion that goes into these faiths, philosophies and practices.

[@dustind4694]

Also seconding Religion For Breakfast if you want to do more deep dives, fellow viewers.

[@dalewilbanks]

Thanks, this may be the most informative video about Zen I've ever viewed. Thanks for remembering Thich That Hanh, he has been so influential in my life, has my teacher.

[@ramiroe.borjam.5120]

Thank you for your video! today was a special day for me, spiritually, and today you publish this video, it is such a nice coincidence! your videos are so good! this pleases me so much! thank you really!

[@ZenAndPsychedelicHealingCenter]

As a Zen teacher, I would say that there were one or two errors, but overall one of the better presentations I've seen on Chan/Zen. Thank you.

[@rioamat9403]

yeap zen teacher.. ahaa

[@enterthevoidIi]

What were those errors?

[@vertbeke7977]

Yeah

[@zhangzongchang1057]

LMAO Edit: I have become the very thing I hated. These "lmao" guys always pissed me off, nothing much to offer other then being NPC's. Don't even remember writing this.

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen has very little dharma, Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@ianenglish123]

Thank you so much Fillip, excellent presentation. One point you touched on was the parallels between Taoism and Chen / Zen. Going with the flow is living the Dharma. Both keystones of those belief systems. Thank you.

[@iesureloaded6139]

I was fortunate my philosophy, professor in college taught us, Taoism and Buddhism/Hinduism. Thank you for your videos. Can’t wait to see more ❤️

[@TokimaruTV]

Namo Buddha....may everyone be blessed with peace and tranquility

[@jeff_forsythe]

You first. Falun Dafa is th highest school of Buddhism.

[@za_wavbit]

Near the end of the video, one note, the Japanese Buddhist non-celibate thing was also imposed on Korea during the occupation, and the Taego order there still follows that. Chan practicioners outside of Japanese Zen usually consider this to be extremely unorthodox, even though we understand the historical context for it (like a lot of things to do with Japanese Buddhism in the 19th and 20th centuries).

[@theostapel]

A modern quote from India - about the Buddha and therein - a secret revealed. ( From Ram Chandra - Heartfulness) 'To one who has given up everything to the Master, he has also left nothing lacking. People have asserted that Buddha never imparted training for the Divine. I have to say that I never moved away from it. I had taken up That which is the Real' - The Buddha. (Whispers from the Brighter World, v. 3. P 365) So beautiful and right and apt. Fare thee well.

[@MindfulExplorations-op7bg]

The stories of enlightened beings and their path to awakening are some of the most mysterious and inspiring tales in Buddhism.

[@habibchowdhurry5089]

I appreciate you and everything you do for us. Thanks for providing us with your scholarship and these awesome videos.

[@vertbeke7977]

Good

[@richardbaroff4911]

Thank you Philip forthis enjoyable and thoughtful summary of the history of Zen Buddhism. As always the illustrations are beautiful and helpful.

[@StarlitSeafoam]

The influence of Zhuangzi on Chan Bhuddism must have been huge. So many times as I'm listening, I find myself thinking "Wow, sounds like Zhuangzi".

[@gstlb]

Very nice work. I think all Americans in particular should see this, as the American understanding of these traditions comes, as you say, from Japan, due to mostly political reasons for the last 75 years. Showing their history in China and influence from Daoism is illuminating.

[@P.G.1966]

Exceptional vid. Very smooth and balanced presentation.

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@dlloydy5356]

Wow what a superb interesting explanation of this subject. Very well explained in understandable terms. Thank you

[@huzaifasalik2909]

I consider Sir as my teacher as his knowledge is really authentic

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@conmereth]

I recently found your channel and was a little disappointed you didn't have a video like this up, looking forward to the next one!

[@leow3696]

I remember in one of Michael Palin's travel documentaries (Full Circle, I think), he visited a zen monastery in Japan and was discussing meditation with one of the monks. He asked the monk what he should hope to get out of meditation, and the monk smiled and said, "That is your problem."

[@jeff_forsythe]

Falun Dafa is th highest school of Buddhism.

[@davidstrevens9170]

Masterful treatise! What an eloquent description of Shunyata. Well done. Truly the Truth is becoming more and more accessible. Evolution in motion.

[@Outthere115]

This is sooooo good. Exactly the sort of video that makes me think "wow, I can't believe I'm getting this for free." Not only does it run for a satisfying 45 minutes, but it perfectly complements my existing knowledge of Zen. I guess I didn't know as much as I thought I did! ;) And now just a week later we get another big one: Neoplatonism and Christianity. Been waiting for it! Can't say enough how glad I am that I found this channel. Keep em coming (and hefty)

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@aalien76]

Love the subtle guquin. Excellent work

[@mythosandlogos]

You do a great job at showing the differences and harmonies between the various schools. I had had some encounters with Buddhism that might be typical in a Western, but my mind was blown when a friend took me to his Vietnamese Mahayana Temple and I saw certain Bodhisattvas were far more prominent than Siddhartha Gautama. The experience actually inspired my video on the Many Faces of Compassion. The internal diversity is amazing!

[@elliotyu6573]

Minor nitpick: the pinyin transcription for 净土 (Pure Land) at 6:47 should be Jingtu, not Qingtu. I'll also echo many other commenters and say that it would be nice to see a video from you discussing Pure Land Buddhism. Thank you for your wonderful work!

[@ezelleze6264]

Video idea: Please make a video or a video series about ancient Egyptian religion. Love your content.

[@commotio-cordis8140]

I love your videos on the dharmic faiths! Its so hard to find videos that aren't trying to convert you!! Thank you!! More please!!

[@jugsewell]

I was very impressed with your choice of a video doc on Nagarjuna, so I was excited to watch your new video on Zen Buddhism! Boy was I disappointed. You, essentially, skipped over the Chinese Masters (where you would have found more of a connection with your 'emptiness' video), in favor of pointing to Dogen and his 'just sitting' doctrine. Your audience didn't have a chance to compare the Chinese take on the Dharma with the Japanese. Of course, you could still create a video on the Chinese history (starting with a closer look at Huineng and early Chan). Then a video on Sung Chan (and instead of focusing on Linji you could take up Huang Po?). "A monk asked Linji, “Whose song do you sing? Whose way of teaching did you inherit?” Linji responded, “At Huangbo’s place I asked a question three 10:05 times and was hit three times.” Grand Master Linji

[@小米-l8i]

作为一个习禅的中国佛弟子，我感觉你做得非常棒，感谢！

[@russell2165]

thank you for this. your explanations are so lucid. I was a follower of theravada buddhism, and recently gravitated towards zen. but i found that dharma talks (online) by zen teachers and monks can be a bit hard to grasp. especially concepts like non-duality or nothingness. but you have explained things in such a comprehensible way. i also love the way you have woven the teachings and their evolution with their history. beautifully done.

[@jeff_forsythe]

Buddhism simplified, Falun Dafa is th highest school of Buddhism.

[@MultiWeb23]

As a Zen Buddhist (Soto-Zen school), I am really glad to see this video :)

[@jeff_forsythe]

Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@nocantry]

I love all the artwork depicting Lao Tsu. He looks so gentle and kind.

[@jeff_forsythe]

His practice is based upon truthfulness. Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@SC_eternal]

Incredible work as always. I would love to see do a video on the Japanese Buddhist Monk Nichiren, he's a very fascinating figure.

[@lopezalehandro1666]

Finally, Ive waited my entire lifetime for this video.

[@evanfont913]

I’ve been waiting so long for this one. My patience has been rewarded.

[@jeff_forsythe]

Now, time to move on. Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@CCPJAYLPHAN1994]

I have a personal experience with Zen Buddhism in Japan. I'm a Youth Buddhist missionary in Asia, dedicating most of my time to share Buddhism young people. I've trained myself in various Buddhist practice and I was once in Japan, visiting Eiheiji, a Soto Zen HQ and had a private meet session with an old compassionate patriach of the school We converse by using Kanji, Han Chinese characters and also a translator who was at best elementary in English. I asked him all sorts of questions as we usually have an anchor in Buddhist meditation. Do I focus on loving kindness like in Metta meditation? Do I focus on my breath like in Vipassana. After many questions, the elder responded to me kindly and said: ''Why can't you just sit?'' That was my sudden awakening moment Man, Buddhism is cool AF

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@CCPJAYLPHAN1994]

@@jeff_forsythe No, get that shit away, Falun gong is a cult

[@DavidRandallCurtis]

One of the best videos on zen I've seen!

[@AFellowNoSelf]

Not sure if I’ve heard of eyes being closed in zen, but this has only been my personal experience. We keep eyes open as master Dogen says to “let the light in”. We use a Mokugyo, a fish with eyes open in chants as a reminder of even fish out of water keeps eyes open to experience reality. I have always wanted to learn more about the roots in Chan, thank you for this beautiful video 😊

[@nicholasfici805]

Absolutely the best presentation of Zen ever!🙏

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@Rydonittelo]

Fantastic video. Really look forward to these videos being released 👍🏻

[@Bundpataka]

An issue with some of the ideas in this form of Buddhism, like the “acceptance of suffering,” that some people have is that they can be appropriated by imperialism, fascism and capitalism, which is seen through how Zen Buddhism became an important tool for the Japanese Empire during its spread and conquests. Furthermore, many companies are promoting “mindfulness” and even sponsoring Buddhist temple retreats for their employees as a way to get them to accept their working conditions rather than fight for better ones, and make workers feel like their suffering is a product of just their mental states rather than their actual material conditions

[@theodora_pilates]

The question I just posted if you look up a bit is related to this. I find there might be an issue there too and I don't know how it's dealt with.

[@theostapel]

Quite a few more issues - but they will come - to the table - if one ponders over the practice. Fare thee well.

[@pmussophilosophy]

Excellent video. Thank you for making it!

[@rajivramanjani8706]

Lineage is emphasised in many traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. This has to do with a teacher initiating a student into a practice through transmission. Your video discounts lineage. I think you should do a separate video on initiation and transmission and the relationship of lineage to it

[@gorkanano3584]

Great video for those interested in knowing a little bit more about Zen Buddhism

[@wsleppy4699]

I have had the exact same expeience with cold tolerance as it relatess to acceptance / mindfulness. Very glad you went on that tangent.

[@howardleekilby7390]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I admire your teaching of all religious traditions with deep respect and high simplicity. I had the honor of studying with Dr. Chang Chung Yuan at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@Knaeben]

It would be interesting to see a video from you on the two Mahayana schools of Madhyamika and Yogacara.

[@shaashaash]

Thank you for this video, i would love to see more from you about buddhism, keep it up !!

[@kabuti2839]

it is about actual Experiencing & as we are All experiencing anyway already, what is required is simply a change of attitude/perspective.

[@PanSzawu]

I would like a video on pure land Buddhism and it's many variations frankly. Most people in the West don't even know what it is despite being arguably the most popular version of Buddhism

[@liberatumtaiwanae3580]

Love from Taipei. Great intro as always. Two thoughts here. BTW I love your own hurting experience in freezing cold as an example. Around 36min. you speak of Cao-dong sect of Zen. The Cao part in Hanyu-Pinyin (alphabetical syllables) is not pronounced as the animal cow, but more like the grudging sound "tsk tsk." Ts-aww. Cao-dong in Japan is today considered the most strict Buddhism out there. The famous Ei-hei Temple in Fukui prefecture (or infamous, if you look back its power struggle history in Shogun days) is a good example.

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen is quite low, Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.,

[@danielepezzoli1500]

Amazing video, as always. Great teaching all the time. Would it be possible to have a video about the so called Pure Land Buddhism? Thank you very much. All the best. Dan

[@owfan4134]

"[in regards to the pain of your hands freezing in the cold] I completely stopped suffering... to some degree." This is, perhaps, the most crucial idea to understand about stoic philosophies of any kind. It's always complete and total, until it's not. The ideal is always crucial, and striving towards it is our eternal struggle, until we change our minds or do something else. We accept suffering and reject attachment, until we don't. There is always right and wrong, good and evil, but our perspectives and values are impermanent and can change, and they do so according to our choices. The human mind is hardwired to filter out unnecessary data, consolidating our perception into a single continuous experience; this is true both at the unconscious and conscious levels. How can we avoid pain and pursue pleasure to the highest level? How can we avoid ignorance and pursue wisdom? How can suffering be overcome? There is no simple answer to any of these, and this is the clue which reveals the inherent flaw of each question; it is pointless to try to conform to a standard that is apart from our nature as living organisms; we are not angels, but all-too-human. Therefore, how can we claim to extricate our perception from the body? How can we, boastful and proud, declare pain over and conquered, or suffering released and overcome? Who can say of themselves, "I am fully aware of, but separate from, this experience"? Only the hubris of mankind, unique amongst the whole animal kingdom, is sufficient to abstract experience from the central nervous system from which it arises! It is pious to assert the primacy of virtue, but it is wise to understand it's ephemerality. The Chan masters are recorded to have been living examples of this understanding, because the story of the first Chan master smiling at the Buddha, who was holding a flower, seems to indicate as much. Sometimes there is no secret technique or spiritual power, the experience is just an experience. The older you become, the more often this realization occurs to you; the master is one in whom nothing remains untouched by this process.

[@Uzair_Of_Babylon465]

Fantastic video keep it up you're doing amazing things 😁👍

[@Uzair_Of_Babylon465]

Have you checked out Rumi series yet and series about Abdul Qadir Gilani is coming out or is out right now be pretty great if you make videos on both of does islamic scholars as people will want to learn about them because of does series. 👍😁

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thanks! Haven't seen either yet. Do you know where I can watch them?

[@Uzair_Of_Babylon465]

@@LetsTalkReligion Rumi series is on KZbin and not sure on other one

[@Lalalala22537]

@@Uzair_Of_Babylon465 I don't want to be rude . But I want to ask you something . As muslim you believe Muhammad is the final prophet . What do you think of the sikh gurus ? sikhism was born a millennia after islam and just like Muhammad who Said he is the final prophet and islam is the final religion , similarly Guru Govind Singh , the final prophet in Sikhism also said that Guru Granth Sahib the holy book of Sikhism is the final and eternal guidance . Your opinion .

[@Ai-he1dp]

A wonderful narrator,with a beautiful tone, like music........and how wonderful that the presentation is not bombarded with pathetic adverts....like and subscribe, the research is worth it, so is the knowledge, blessings to him for his time effort and impartiality.

[@imfrankiea]

Woo, the speaker is both cute and clever!! Very enjoyable. I want to view more of his videos. Now, I see how I tolerated so much abusive association - I didn't let them bother me. I saw them as morally sick and expected him to be ethically ill. They did affect me subconsciously in that I encouraged more bad associations, but not I chose my peace which is my choice to be godly. I wish I could be more present in my life experience - God. I need to work on this aspect of my growth now awakeness. If I'm totally awakened- I will be full of energy! Now, I'm tired. I will try Zazen mediation to energize me.

[@jeff_forsythe]

Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@cecilcharlesofficial]

Took a long walk while listening, and since I’m only halfway done, I’m just gonna listen again. Fantastic vid. And let’s all walk more :)

[@metawicca]

In Thailand there is the teaching of Luang Por Tian. Some call it dynamic meditation. He called it Mahasati. But in general the teaching is referred to as, "Thai Zen" by some. He seemed to appreciate Thich Nhat Hanh too. Just another example of the "Zen" influence around the world, even if not an "official" Zen sect. Very interesting.

[@martinwilliams9866]

About 4 decades ago I was at the Sivananda yoga centre in London, on the wall in one of its rooms was a sign saying "Don't just sit, meditate" I joked to a friend that if that was a Zen sign it would probably say something like "Don't meditate, just sit!" Can you do a program about Zen master Bankei Yotaku The three aspects of Hua-Yen (which influenced Chan etc) of mutual containment, mutual dependence & mutual identity all exist in the Tai Chi or Yinyang symbol, in the small circles, the sigmoid curve & the large circle respectively. You can't become Being. My favourite Haiku "Reflected in the Dragonfly's Eyes, the Mountains!"

[@mujaku]

Zen's four slogans A special communication outside the teachings, 教外別傳 does not depend on written words 不立文字 directly points to the human mind, 直指人心 Revealing one‘s essence becoming awakened. 見性成佛

[@TheSamuiman]

Well researched -thanks - Nisarga Dhatta Maharaj comes to mind!

[@kengotengo]

I feel it is close to "Wahdat al Wujud" which you are quite spécialist of. The aim, or the goal (or non-goal) comes to the same thing (kind of)?

[@ShaolinChan5988]

🎉👌🙏🙏🙏 Throughout the entire KZbin This is the closest, the best explanation for Chan 禅

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@Barfdargle]

I love that you and Religion for Breakfast, two of my favorite religious studies channels along with Esoterica, are essentially allied.

[@jeff_forsythe]

Zen offers very little dharma. Falun Dafa is the highest school of Buddhism.

[@Barfdargle]

@@jeff_forsythe the "highest school of buddhism" didn't exist until the 1990s lol

[@jeff_forsythe]

@@Barfdargle So what's your point, that something has to be ancient for it to be true, God has a plan and whether or not is clear to you does not change that plan. lol

[@Barfdargle]

@@jeff_forsythe this idea of a god that has a plan is foreign to Buddhist thought

[@Barfdargle]

@@jeff_forsythe you're in a cult