According to popular tradition, Zen originated with Buddha's famed "Flower Sermon". In this sermon, instead of speaking, the Buddha simply walked to the edge of the stage, picked up a decorative flower, and held it aloft before returning to his seat. While many did not understand what the Buddha was trying to impart, a group of separate monks saw and understood. This understanding was passed down until a man named Bodhidharma was born around 482 CE.

Bodhidharma is a legendary figure, and historians disagree over whether he existed at all. Whether he did or not is largely irrelevant to modern Zen Buddhists - he still has a tremendous impact on their religion. According to legend, Bodhidharma trekked across Himalayan mountains, braving both incredible weather conditions and bandits, without incident to bring the teachings of Buddhism into China. He meditated for nine years at a stretch, and originated the martial art known as Kung Fu as a method of teaching the Shaolin monks the value of p

Koans are a large part of all Zen traditions, though their exact usage varies. At its simplest, a koan is simply an impossible riddle. Logic and reason are completely useless in contemplation of a Zen koan. Their intended purpose is for a student to contemplate them for weeks, months, or even years, until finally the conscious mind gives up and thinks of nothing. How this applies in practice depends on the school. Soto Zen uses them as contemplative techniques outside of meditation, while Rinzai Zen uses them during zazen to encourage a flash of enlightenment.

The Zen tradition is incredibly diverse, representing people from all walks of life across the entire world. However, at its core, it is a very simple, life-affirming religion that seeks to alleviate the suffering of not only the practitioners, but the entire world as well. Throughout its long history, it has been a tremendous cultural influence on many Asian nations, particularly Japan and China.

Paradoxically, however, Zen does have an overarching goal. It is not what one might expect. Zen practitioners do not seek to become Buddhas themselves. Instead, they seek to become boddhisatvas. A boddhisatva is one who rejects personal goals and selfish desires and instead focuses on the good of all beings. They act as guides to other people, helping them alleviate their suffering as much as is possible and acting as compassionate guides on the right path. The goal of the boddhisatva is to bring all people onto the Buddha's path of Awakening.

hysical exercise as well as religious contemplation. Bodhidharma's dedication to Buddhism was incredible. He was once said to have become frustrated because he had fallen asleep while meditating, so he cut off his own eyelids.

Zen Buddhism is rooted firmly in the here an

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