About this video
Zen, or meditation, Buddhism came to Japan from China in the 1100s and emphasizes finding one's own Buddha nature through meditation. Monks at Tofukuji in Kyoto do every chore with mindfulness, work on paradoxical koans, meditate for long hours and express Zen through calligraphy, painting and rock gardens. In the past 50 years Zen has gained many followers outside Asia.
You'll be able to
- explain what Zen Buddhism emphasizes and where it came from.
- describe how Zen monks practice mindfulness, koans and meditation in daily life.
- explain why Zen appeals to people around the world today.
Key words
- Zen
- A school of Buddhism focused on meditation; the name means meditation.
- mindfulness
- Paying full attention to the present moment instead of letting the mind wander.
- koan
- A puzzling problem that cannot be solved by rational thought, used to open the mind.
- abbot
- The head of a monastery.
- Buddha nature
- The potential for enlightenment that Zen teaches is within each person.
- calligraphy
- The art of beautiful, expressive handwriting.
Transcript
Zen for meditation Buddhism was introduced to Japan from China in the 1100s it emphasizes seeking one's own buddha nature through meditation these monks live at tofukuji in kyoto one of japan's oldest zen temples every chore no matter how routine is undertaken with mindfulness staying in the present rather than letting the mind wander to past or future the monks line up to meet with the abbot they will discuss koans paradoxical problems that cannot be solved through rational thought the process of working on the con for months even years will open the disciples mind to new levels of awareness monks spend much of their day in meditation and rarely sleep more than four hours a night the head monks strike is not a
punishment but an aid to meditation it revives the monk and may even shock him into greater awareness meals are taken with complete mindfulness on the food and the ritual use of the bowls and utensils not a drop is wasted after cleaning the temple the monks venture out to big forearms in the old days people gave rice or other offerings of food these days it's more common to give cash some monks trained as calligraphers painters or gardeners paintings depict famous Zen sayings in calligraphy or Bodhidharma the founder of Zen Buddhism rock garden symbolized mountainous landscapes the ideal retreat from monastic life from the origins of Buddhism in India to the development of schools in China Korea and Japan
meditation Buddhism has transcended language and culture over the past 50 years Zen has gained many new followers outside of Asia the pursuit of mental focus and the benefits of meditation appeal to people in search of meaning in a rapidly changing world you you
Video © Khan Academy, used under CC BY-NC-SA. Watch on Khan Academy. Puzzicle is not affiliated with Khan Academy.