Zen Buddhism

Tyler Gray

Ramona Silver

English 101A

20 October 2016

Zen Buddhism is a subject that has created an interesting discussion between many subjects. Additionally, Zen is a practice that requires personal experience and boundless amount of time to understand. In the book, An introduction to Zen Buddhism, D.T. Suzuki discusses Zen in several ways but most importantly Zen is not categorized easily as a subject matter. He also, suggests that Zen is no longer a religion, nor does it focus on a trust in a divinity or god. He in addition asserts that Zen is now not monotheistic nor is it pantheistic. Moreover, Suzuki argues that Zen has a mystical great to it, that he describes as “silence of thunder”, (suzuki 6) . and it is these elusive characteristics that make zen so difficult to define. Therefore Zen has often been characterized as a “nihilistic,” type of practice. However in chapter three of his book, suzuki asserts that Zen uses illogical thoughts to supply freedom from all intellectual distractions. Therefore, in Chapter three entitled, "Is Zen Nihilistic?" D.T. Suzuki's argument that Zen is now not nihilistic is valid, due to the fact Zen is a positive experience that affords private enlightenment and gives a positive effect on each individual.

D.T. Suzuki proposes that Zen really focuses on apprehending the true purpose of life. For example, Suzuki states that Zen always aims at grasping the central fact of life, which can never be brought to the dissecting table of the intellect (Suzuki 51). Additionally, Suzuki suggests that the inspiring topic of zen itself can help us give up our ignorance and our distractions revolving our lives. Further, Suzuki emphasizes that we do not destroy our mind. Suzuki emphasizes how Zen is actually more to do with finding meaning instead of nihilism. For example, Suzuki proclaims how we may insist upon asking zen what it is that is left after all these denials (Suzuki 51).

According to Suzuki we would practice Zen as a means to explore the, “Mysteries of life” (Suzuki 55). Further, Suzuki determines that when we practice Zen we are able to reach a point of extreme peacefulness. For example, Suzuki explains how Zen is self assertive, which, however, being free and absolute, knows no limitations and refuses to be handled in abstraction (Suzuki 53). Additionally, Suzuki suggests when your knowledge about Zen is truly pure, you have a purified mind, and a thinking mind is said to be honestly pure when it is above purity and impurity. For example, Suzuki stated in order to have a purified mind “Have your mind thoroughly void in all conditions, then you will have purity” (Suzuki 56).

In conclusion Zen is a positive experience that provides private enlightenment and gives a positive effect on each individual.