Zen and Tibet By Kelvin Thompson

In prehistoric times, it’s supposed that Tibet was composed of inland sea surrounded by woods and snow-covered mountains. Human life eventually showed up there, forming individual tribes. 418 years after Buddha’s death, the individual tribes united under King Nya-Tri-Tsenpo as a single Tibetan Nation. Origins of Tibet

During the rule Lha-Tho-Ri-Nyen--Tsen, the twenty-eighth king, that the next most significant event in Tibet’s history occurred. “A volume of Lord Buddha’s teachings fell into his hands, and the spread of Buddhism in Tibet began.” (Dalai Lama). But the 33rd king established Buddhism more firmly with noble customs of spiritual and material life, and ten rules for religious services. Buddhism begins in Tibet

Buddhism Enters Japan Arrived via several gifts from Korean political delegation, including: Buddha statue, sutras, religious objects, and a letter praising dharma Was initially only accepted by imperial court and disseminated Associated with magic and used mainly for abundant rain and healthy crops Did not replace indigenous Kami (shinto deities), acknowledged their existence and influence.

In Japan, during its development, Buddhism’s tendency was to find enlightenment in the “structure of secular life” (Viewonbuddhism.org) Well known examples of Japanese arts that accomplish this task are the tea ceremony, calligraphy and theater. Buddhism initially wasn’t a practical religion, being more used by learned priests to pray for prosperity of the imperial house. Buddhism in Japan

797:Imperial palace moves to Kyoto, more characteristically Japanese Buddhism emerges Two monks, Saicho and Kukai comprehensively synthesize chinese doctrine of buddhism, “furnishing all essentials for the entire further development of Japanese Buddhism” (viewonbuddhism.org) Syntheses spawned two systems of buddhist teaching and practice

The major schools of thought (Tendai, Shingon, Kegon) were superseded by two main streams of thought in the early feudal period: Zen and Pureland. Then Zen itself split into two sects: “Rinzai and Soto” (Dailylife2.abc-clio.com)

Zen: emphasized hidden meditation Pureland: emphasized divine intercession Rinzai: Emphasized meditation Soto: Emphasized “Shocking the mind through antirational puzzles” (Dailylife2.abc-clio.com) Emphasized Beliefs

Most Buddhist sects still manage to make a living by holding various social functions, especially funerals and ceremonies for the dead. After virtually every Buddhist funeral in Japan, the deceased is cremated and expectantly the priest and temple receive donations for their services. Modern Japanese Buddhism

After the death of Mao Zedong, an influential cult leader, the Chinese government adopted a more liberal policy on religion, allowing traditional religions to resurface, including Buddhism, Daoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism, which were denominated as the five religions of china. Buddhism’s return has been amazing, with its temples drawing many faithful Buddhists and visitors. The government has no major conflicts with Buddhism, aside from Tibetan Lamaism, which is important to Tibet’s cultural identity. Modern Tibetan Buddhism

There are about ten great sects in Mahayana Buddhism such as Pureland school, San-Lun school, or the Madhyamika school in China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet. “This school actually no longer exists in China... but still exists in the Tibetan Buddhists.” (Zenguide.com). Zen has some particular similarities to a school of tibetan buddhism called Dozgchen: Buddhism and Dozgchen both encourage acceptance of of man’s natural feelings and desires. Emphasizes meditation Encourages searching for Enlightenment

I’ve learned a lot about the histories behind Tibet Buddhism and Zen Buddhism, my conclusion is they share similar philosophies about meditation, but differ in their methods to finding enlightenment. I still have a lot to learn about Zen and Lamaism separately to better understand them in comparison. Conclusion

Perez, Louis G. "Religion in Japan: Modern World." Daily Life through History. ABC-CLIO, Web. 22 Nov "Religion in China: Modern World." Daily Life through History. ABC-CLIO, Web. 22 Nov Nyingma /22/10 His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Interview with Barkha Dutt. NDTV. Viewonbuddhism.org. Rudy Harderwijk. 11/22/10 Zenguide.com. Alan Do. 11/22/10 His holiness, the dalai lama. My Land And My People. New York: 1962